BY: DR. OSAZE CLIFFORD EKHATOR
Lead Poisoning is a kind of metal poisoning or medical condition that results when elemental lead builds up in the blood stream. The increase on these ‘heavy’ metal interferes with body processes and can become toxic to the body tissues like the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, reproductive and nervous systems. Ordinarily, these happen over a period of time that ranges from months through years eventually manifesting into a serious medical or environmental problem.
The primary causes of this health hazard to human and animals are through exposure to lead sources or lead contaminated items in the food chain. The contact leads to absorption into the body through ingestion – of Water, Food, Vegetation, Fine Dust particles or Flakes settling on the skin. Geologically, lead is obtainable from Galena, its primary Ore which ordinarily appears as a glistening silver cube with almost naturally perfect shapes. It is capable of taking a heavy toll on mine workers and amateur Researchers who make contact with the deadly dust released during Extraction, Production and Processing.
It should interest readers to know that this toxic metal while in the mineral form, Galena is of little health concern because it is still bound in the crystal structure and to some extent, safe to handle. However, prolonged exposure to the pulverized airborne dust becomes a health hazard when inhaled or ingested. Other pathways for the disease can result from the consumption of contaminated dairy products, livestock or vegetables or simply in the course of mining or recycling lead associated or related products. The major uses of the metal include the manufacture of automobile batteries, paint pigments, dyes, ceramic glazes, pesticides, Ammunitions, Alloys, Protective shield against x-rays Radiation and until now added to gasoline to increase octane ratings. Medically, poisoning can be classified as acute or chronic depending on the amount, duration and route of exposure while the intensity is measured and diagnosed by whole blood lead test performed on a standard blood sample. The amount of the lead in the blood is measured in microgram per deciliter, mcg/dL. For Adults, a normal result is less than 20mcg/dL and treatment is recommended for a level greater than 60mcg/dL. Children, in the other hand, should be monitored closely when levels are higher than 10mcg/dL. Additional diagnostic tests through x-rays could indicate the amount of Iron storing cells in the blood and possibly, the need for a bone marrow biopsy.
Lead poisoning can be prevented by adopting the following measures: – Safer mining practice methods – Keep a distance from risk areas – Regular medical checkups – Mines inspection by authorized officers – Compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) recommendations – Use of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) – Community awareness education – ‘Wet Milling’ Ore processing methods – Regular hand / body washing Health effects associated with lead poisoning include those of Neurological damage, damages to Bones, Kidneys, Anemia, Convulsions, Impaired IQ, Memory loss, Neurovascular damage, Infertility, Miscarriage, Hypertension etc. Though it is difficult to reverse the effects of chronic exposure to lead, treatment by a chemical called ‘EDTA’ or the ‘Chelating’ therapy can be used. The chelating therapy is a medical procedure that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. It binds to accumulated lead which can then be excreted through urine. The treatment is administered under very careful medical supervision due to various inherent risks. There are different chelating agents with affinities for different Metals, Physical characteristics and Biological mechanism of action. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication – Lead, Arsenic & Mercury, Available Chelating Agents include Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA).
A common case study in Nigeria is the Zamfara lead mining saga where over 400 children died with hundred others heavily affected. That case resulted from the ‘dry milling’ Ore processing method which liberates fine dust particles and flakes which is inhaled, deposited on drinking water or absorbed through the skin. The dust from the Gold Ore typically contains lead components that become an environmental hazard from the moment it becomes airborne after pulverization to render the gold content accessible. Thankfully, the intervention of the Federal and State Government by collaboration through the introduction and installation of the Igoli wet Gold Ore processing machine in three local government areas comes as a welcome relief. The machine operates a wet processing method which does not produce dust which is a major source of concern. The machine achieves a higher purity of the gold and the recovery efficiency comes minimizes the environmental concern and negative health impact. Finally, it is important to identify some of the symptoms associated with repeated lead exposure which include Abdominal Pain / Cramps, Constipation, Aggressive behavior, Sleeping problems, Irritability, Headaches, Appetite loss, Fatigue, Memory loss among others.
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