Stopping the menace of lead poisoning

A recent investigation conducted by the Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) revealed that the interference of lead with a variety of body processes is poisonous to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems; notably among children. This results to potential permanent learning and behavior disorders, convulsion, paralysis […]

A recent investigation conducted by the Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) revealed that the interference of lead with a variety of body processes is poisonous to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems; notably among children. This results to potential permanent learning and behavior disorders, convulsion, paralysis and even death.
Similarly, a study conducted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with national and international stakeholders on epidemics control confirmed that lead poison arises from such human daily activities such as placing lead objects or fingers in mouth after handling lead, breathing dust that contains lead, solder used in plumbing, dust and chips from deteriorating lead paint on interior surfaces, old/imported toys or furniture, curtain weights, pottery, porcelain, leaded glass, and hobby materials, contaminated breast milk, among others.
It is noteworthy that a bid to tackle the deadly epidemic resulted to NEMA partnership with both national and international stakeholders primarily to sensitize the general public on the preventive measures against the impacts of lead poison.
Consequently, National Workshop on the Mitigation of the Risk of Lead Poisoning Associated with Gold Mining and Processing among Rural Communities was held in Zamfara State in March 2011. In his key note address at the Workshop, the Director General NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi warned against the ongoing excessive and unjust mining activities among rural communities in Nigeria and the need for constant Environmental Impact Assessment by the state governments.
On their own parts, health professionals have called on individuals to lower childhood exposures to lead; while urging the government to strengthen the environmental regulations that limit the amount of lead
In the lead-prone environment, individuals should create barriers between living areas and lead sources. Governments of the affected communities should institute a sufficient clean-up programme. All sources of lead must be isolated until the completion of the environmental clean-up. To protect children living in the zones, parents should create temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape to cover holes in walls or to block children’s access to other sources of lead.
Abubakar Jimoh is the National Coordinator, Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI), and lives in Abuja. [email protected]