Lead intoxicated children in Kabwe, Zambia

Abstract

Kabwe is a lead contaminated mining town in Zambia. Kabwe has extensive lead contaminated soil and children in Kabwe ingest and inhale high quantities of this toxic dust. The aim of this paper is to analyze the health impact of this exposure for children. Health data from three existing studies were re-analyzed. Over 95% of children living in the most affected townships had high blood lead levels (BLLs) > 10µg/dL. Approximately 50% of those children had BLLs ≥ 45µg/dL. The existing data clearly establishes the presence of a severe environmental health crisis in Kabwe which warrants immediate attention.

New Approaches to Identifying and Reducing the Global Burden of Disease From Pollution

“…Mining and mineral extraction, as well as secondary processing of materials, concentrate potentially harmful minerals and elements and, in so doing, can pose risks from direct occupational exposures and indirect risks to families of workers and nearby localities if not tightly controlled. The growth of secondary mining and processing from nonprofessional recyclers has caused widespread contamination and poisoning of processers and indeed entire neighborhoods (Bose-O'Reilly et al, 2017). Primary exposures to workers can be controlled and reduced by regulatory oversight and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but one or both of these measures can fail.…”

“…One example, which will be expanded later as a case study, is the abandoned zinc and copper mining operations within the city of Kabwe, Zambia, termed "The world's most toxic town" (Guardian, 2017). A victim of colonial mining, conducted with minimum concern of worker or population safety and maximum concern of profits, Kabwe has been left littered with mine tailings and waste dumps with concentrations of lead and other metals at toxic levels, resulting in profound lead poisoning epidemic in the city (Figure 7; Bose-O'Reilly et al, 2017). Additionally, the tailings are so rich in lead that they are often secondarily mined by residents, with materials melted down in backyards and near homes for resale.…”

Addressing Pollution‐Related Global Environmental Health Burdens

“…Simple, yet effective locally based solutions for remediating contaminated soils are required because they not only reduce exposure risks but also build local capacity (e.g., Ericson et al, ). However, inadequate attention has been paid to developing workable solutions to very large‐scale contamination issues, like the widespread lead poisoning devastating children in the Zambian city of Kabwe (Bose‐O'Reilly et al, ). That said, promising outcomes are achievable at low cost such as those associated with improved cooking stoves to reduce soot and indoor air pollution in homes (Dybas, ) or the use of solar lights to eradicate pollution from kerosene lamps (Webster, ).…”

Variation of heavy metal contamination between mushroom species in the Copperbelt province, Zambia: are the people at risk?

“…detected a substantial concentration of Cu (1090 ppm) in the soil near a mining site. Elevated concentrations of Pb have also been reported near emission sources in Zambia . The presence of elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the environment is a serious health issue due to their non‐degradable nature, which makes them persistent and thereby they exert long‐term effects on ecosystems.…”