Lead poisoning in Nigeria: Death toll rises 300

Abuja, Jun 7: The death toll rose 300, as the villagers including 100 children have died from lead poisoning, in the northern Nigerian state of Zamfara over the last couple of months.

The deaths were due to the lead poisoning while trying to leach gold from the rock deposits, at some illegal gold mining centres in the northern Nigeria.

The deceased children, who were playing near the mining process swallowed lead by inhaling it or putting their contaminated hands in their mouths, informed the health authorities.

More than 300 others in that area have also fallen sick from lead poisoning since the illegal mining began in Jan, 2010. The high levels of lead exposure will damage the brain and nervous system. It can also create reproductive problems and high blood pressure. The over exposure to lead can also cause seizures, comas and death, if not detected early.

The lead separated from the gold during mining, have also contaminated the local water supplies.

OneIndia News