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This is what poverty does: 111 children die of lead poisoning | |
| Halcyon Dayz, FCD
Offer Upgrade  User ID: 434868  Netherlands06/07/2010 08:19 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | 'Lead poisoning kills 163 in Nigeria' [link to www.iol.co.za] [link to en.wikipedia.org] 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. Findings An annual immunization programme led to the revelation as a shortage of children was reported: the children had all been killed.[1] They were 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 malaria but Médecins Sans Frontières found unusual levels of lead in the blood during tests. The BBC suggested the contamination of water may have contributed to the high mortality rate. 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 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 and Bungudu were affected. All five villages will be evacuated by the Nigerian health authorities. Treatment Two treatment camps were established by health authorities to deal with the crisis. The World Health Organisation and Médecins Sans Frontières 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.  Reaching for the sky makes you taller. Hi! My name is Halcyon Dayz and I'm addicted to morans. |
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