In March 2010, an unusually high number of deaths, primarily among children under age 5 in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Zamfara State, northern Nigeria, was reported by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF-Holland) to state health authorities. Further study1 on blood samples taken by MSF revealed that the increased mortality was the result of acute lead poisoning, determined to be caused by massive environmental contamination from artisanal mining and processing of gold found in lead-rich ore. The grinding of the ore into fine particles resulted in extensive dispersal of lead dust in the villages concerned, including within family compounds. Ingestion and inhalation of the fine lead particles was determined to be the major reason for high blood lead levels in victims’ bodies. 2 Blood lead levels (BLLs) were “unprecedented” for human beings, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
From 20 September through 7 October 2010, the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU) led a sampling and analysis mission to investigate the lead pollution emergency in Zamfara State, following requests for assistance from the Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria and the UN Resident Coordinator. Specifically, the mission focused on determining quantities of lead in ground and surface water, building on investigations already conducted by the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Water Resources Institute of Nigeria (NWRI), and a team from TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering/The Blacksmith Institute, as it was determined that there was insufficient information in these domains. The mission also took the opportunity to look at lead levels in soil, and mercury levels in air.
Field work focused on five villages in Anka Local Government Authority (LGA), two of which had been confirmed as lead-contaminated (Abare and Sunke); two of which were newly suspected of contamination (Kirsa and Bagega); and one of which had been remediated (Dareta).
The full report is available here.
