Other tales of toxicity: Lead poisoning leads the way

Between March and June 2010, cases of lead poisoning in Zamfara State saw at least 163 people die, including 111 children, according to various reports. Such cases are commonly found in low and middle income countries.

When an annual immunization programme in Northern Nigeria led to the discovery of a high number of child deaths in the area, investigations revealed that they had been digging for gold at the times of their deaths, in a leadloaded area. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) personnel found unusually high levels of lead in the blood during tests. Experts were called in by government to assist in removal of toxic lead.

In an effort to halt such cases, there has been a clampdown on illegal mining and carrying out a clean-up of the area. While some residents were evacuated, enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of lead mining were given to locals.

Then in May 2015, 28 children died of lead poisoning in Niger State, due to contact made from illegal gold mines. High lead levels and toxic impurities leached in the water as a result of villagers illegally mining for gold.

Doctors found the victims had levels of lead in their blood that were 17 to 22 times higher than acceptable limits as established by the World Health Organization.

Aid group Doctors Without Borders has reportedly cured 2,688 of 5,451 people infected in the last five years and hopes to complete treatment this year. Short-term effects of lead poisoning include acute fever, convulsions, loss of consciousness and blindness, while long-term consequences are anaemia, kidney failure and brain damage as the most common.