9.4 Heavy Metals
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In, An environmental health response to a severe outbreak of childhood lead poisoning in NigeriaCasey Bartrem, more than 400 children lost their lives due to lead poisoning caused by power and greed. The emergency health response of MSF and other agencies to prevent further child deaths was admirable. It just seems like we act in reaction to a catastrophic event, instead of thinking of the effects and consequences beforehand. 2010 is not very long ago, by then we as a global community are aware of the implications but perhaps developing countries had other reasons why contamination of the agricultural area was an afterthought. Even then, it is inexcusable. One too many lives were lost due to poor safety design, planning and surveillance,.According to the CDC, more than 5 micrograms per deciliter of lead in the bloodstream is a point of reference and when public health intervention should be initiated. The children in Nigeria had blood levels greater than 170 micrograms per deciliters!!! 34 times greater than what the CDC considers high. The remediation process seemed thorough using a campaign to promote safe mining practices, local government, imams, local miners and tribal chiefs were all part of the process to ensure communities were lead -free.
Photo 1: Mining for gold in Nigeria (Egagah.blogspot.com, 2017)
Photo 2: Health workers working with soil in Nigeria (Globalpronews.com, 2017)
In, Lead Poisoning, I was not surprised to read that the discovery of childhood lead poisoning in Australia was met with disbelief just like here in the U.S. It took about 28 years from the time it was discovered to the time lead was banned from Brisbane. Although, it is important for U.S scientists and epidemiologists to conduct their own research, they may have reach the same conclusion sooner with the help of Australian research findings. It was interesting to read that the behavior changes seen in animals like rodents and monkeys after lead exposure is very similar to how humans change. As public health professionals, learning that the only remedy found at the time for low-level lead exposure was primary prevention demonstrates the importance of public health campaigns and partnerships with local governments, occupational workers exposed to lead, and schools. Especially since low levels can have adverse health risks for children and chelation therapy is not an option since greater than 40 micrograms per deciliter is the threshold for pharmacological intervention.
Photo 3: Damage of lead exposure in humans (Lookfordiagnosis.com, 2017)
In, An environmental health response to a severe outbreak of childhood lead poisoning in NigeriaCasey Bartrem, more than 400 children lost their lives due to lead poisoning caused by power and greed. The emergency health response of MSF and other agencies to prevent further child deaths was admirable. It just seems like we act in reaction to a catastrophic event, instead of thinking of the effects and consequences beforehand. 2010 is not very long ago, by then we as a global community are aware of the implications but perhaps developing countries had other reasons why contamination of the agricultural area was an afterthought. Even then, it is inexcusable. One too many lives were lost due to poor safety design, planning and surveillance,.According to the CDC, more than 5 micrograms per deciliter of lead in the bloodstream is a point of reference and when public health intervention should be initiated. The children in Nigeria had blood levels greater than 170 micrograms per deciliters!!! 34 times greater than what the CDC considers high. The remediation process seemed thorough using a campaign to promote safe mining practices, local government, imams, local miners and tribal chiefs were all part of the process to ensure communities were lead -free.
In, Lead Poisoning, I was not surprised to read that the discovery of childhood lead poisoning in Australia was met with disbelief just like here in the U.S. It took about 28 years from the time it was discovered to the time lead was banned from Brisbane. Although, it is important for U.S scientists and epidemiologists to conduct their own research, they may have reach the same conclusion sooner with the help of Australian research findings. It was interesting to read that the behavior changes seen in animals like rodents and monkeys after lead exposure is very similar to how humans change. As public health professionals, learning that the only remedy found at the time for low-level lead exposure was primary prevention demonstrates the importance of public health campaigns and partnerships with local governments, occupational workers exposed to lead, and schools. Especially since low levels can have adverse health risks for children and chelation therapy is not an option since greater than 40 micrograms per deciliter is the threshold for pharmacological intervention.
Hi Mayra,
ReplyDeleteI agree about what you said that we act when things already happened and not before the consequences. I think the government in America and in other countries should be concentrating more on prevention programs. I also like the campaign that they did to sustain lead-free villages. I also like how the local government and organizations worked together. I think building partnerships is important to the success of any health programs. Everyone need to work together for a cleaner and environment and healthier life.
- Krissy
Hi Mayra,
ReplyDeleteit's unfortunate that it took a really long time to show that lead exposure is harmful and can lead to many health problems such as neurotoxicity in children because they are more likely to be exposed. I think these days, in order to make a policy change regarding a toxic chemical, it is always required extensive evidence and rigorous research before lawmakers start to take action even though so many people have already been negatively impacted by the exposure. We definitely need to change we look at the impacts of chemical exposures and how we can better protect our health and the environment.
Hi Mayra,
DeleteIt was very upsetting that it took so long for people to realize the harmful effects of lead exposure. It was also very upsetting that the 400 children in Nigeria died due to the greed of the gold industry. We all need to come together locally and globally to eliminate lead exposures.