Zamfara State lead poisoning epidemic
Encyclopedia
A series of lead
poisonings
in Zamfara State
, Nigeria
, led to the deaths of at least 163 people between March and June 2010, including 111 children. Health ministry
figures state the discovery of 355 cases, with 46 percent proving fatal
.
but Médecins Sans Frontières
found unusually high levels of lead in the blood during tests. The BBC
suggested the contamination of water may have contributed to the high mortality rate. Blacksmith Institute
was called in by the Nigerian authorities to assist in the removal of toxic lead.
It is thought that the poisonings were caused by the illegal extraction of ore by villagers, who take crushed rock home with them to extract. This results in the soil being contaminated from lead which then poisons people through hand-to-mouth contamination. Others have been contaminated by contact with contaminated tools and water.
Those who died came from several villages. Five villages in the Local Government Areas of Anka
and Bungudu
were affected. All five villages were evacuated by the Nigerian health authorities.
, Médecins Sans Frontières and Blacksmith Institute
assisted with the epidemic. Federal health ministry epidemiologist Henry Akpan said: "We are working with the state ministry of health to give health education and create enlightenment on the dangers of illegal mining". Nigeria's chief epidemiologist Dr. Henry Akpan announced the discovery of the epidemic on 4 June 2010. Blacksmith has been removing toxic lead from houses and compounds in the villages so that surviving children returning from treatment will not be re-exposed to toxic lead in their homes.
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
poisonings
Lead poisoning
Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the heavy metal lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems...
in Zamfara State
Zamfara State
Zamfara State is a state in northwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Gusau and its Governor is Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari, a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party . Until 1996 the area was part of Sokoto State....
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, led to the deaths of at least 163 people between March and June 2010, including 111 children. Health ministry
Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health
The Federal Ministry of Health is a Nigerian ministry whose mission is to develop and implement policies and programs and undertake other actions to deliver effective, efficient, quality and affordable health services....
figures state the discovery of 355 cases, with 46 percent proving fatal
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
.
Findings
An annual immunization programme in Northern Nigeria led to the discovery of a high number of child deaths in the area. An investigation showed that they had been digging for gold at the times of their deaths, in an area where lead is prevalent. It was thought by the villagers that all the children had contracted malariaMalaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
but Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières
' , or Doctors Without Borders, is a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland...
found unusually high levels of lead in the blood during tests. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
suggested the contamination of water may have contributed to the high mortality rate. Blacksmith Institute
Blacksmith Institute
Founded in 1999, Blacksmith Institute is an international non-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating life-threatening pollution in the developing world. Blacksmith identifies and cleans up the world's worst polluted places, focusing on communities where children are most at risk. Based in...
was called in by the Nigerian authorities to assist in the removal of toxic lead.
It is thought that the poisonings were caused by the illegal extraction of ore by villagers, who take crushed rock home with them to extract. This results in the soil being contaminated from lead which then poisons people through hand-to-mouth contamination. Others have been contaminated by contact with contaminated tools and water.
Actions
In an effort to halt the epidemic the authorities are clamping down on illegal mining and carrying out a clean-up of the area. The number of cases has fallen since April, when illegal mining in the area was halted and some of the residents were evacuated. Education on health and the dangers of lead mining is also being given to local people. It is hoped that the clean-up can be completed prior to the start of the rainy season in July, which will spread contaminants, though it is being hampered by the remoteness of the villages and Muslim restrictions preventing men from entering some compounds.Those who died came from several villages. Five villages in the Local Government Areas of Anka
Anka, Nigeria
Anka is a Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Anka at.It has an area of 2,746 km² and a population of 142,280 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 890....
and Bungudu
Bungudu
Bungudu is a Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Bungudu at.It has an area of 2,293 km² and a population of 257,917 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 881....
were affected. All five villages were evacuated by the Nigerian health authorities.
Treatment
Two treatment camps were established by health authorities to deal with the crisis. The World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, Médecins Sans Frontières and Blacksmith Institute
Blacksmith Institute
Founded in 1999, Blacksmith Institute is an international non-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating life-threatening pollution in the developing world. Blacksmith identifies and cleans up the world's worst polluted places, focusing on communities where children are most at risk. Based in...
assisted with the epidemic. Federal health ministry epidemiologist Henry Akpan said: "We are working with the state ministry of health to give health education and create enlightenment on the dangers of illegal mining". Nigeria's chief epidemiologist Dr. Henry Akpan announced the discovery of the epidemic on 4 June 2010. Blacksmith has been removing toxic lead from houses and compounds in the villages so that surviving children returning from treatment will not be re-exposed to toxic lead in their homes.
See also
- 2009–2010 West African meningitis outbreak
- Related lists