Lead intoxicated children in Kabwe, Zambia

Journal Article · Wed Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Environmental Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2017.10.024· OSTI ID:23110614

Bose-O’Reilly, Stephan ^[1]; Yabe, John ^[2]; Makumba, Joseph ^[3]; Schutzmeier, Paul ^[1]; Ericson, Bret ^[4]; Caravanos, Jack ^[4]

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1. Institute and Policlinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, D-80336 Munich (Germany)
2. University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lusaka (Zambia)
3. Misenge Environmental and Technical Services Ltd., ZCCM Investment Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH), Kitwe (Zambia)
4. Pure Earth, New York (United States)

Highlights: • Kabwe's soil is highly contaminated with lead due to former lead mining. • Children from highly contaminated townships showed high blood lead levels. • They need to be treated and the exposure must be considerably reduced. 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) > 10 µg/dL. Approximately 50% of those children had BLLs ≥ 45 µg/dL. The existing data clearly establishes the presence of a severe environmental health crisis in Kabwe which warrants immediate attention.

• OSTI ID: 23110614
• Journal Information: Environmental Research, Journal Name: Environmental Research Vol. 165; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BLOOD
CHILDREN
DUSTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
MINING
POISONING
PUBLIC HEALTH
TOXICITY
ZAMBIA