Blood - Lead levels among Inhabitants of Enyigba Lead - Zinc Mining Community of Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Indications of Occupational and Environmental Health Hazards

Abstract

Background: Artisanal mining activities have become a significant occupation among the inhabitants of Enyigba community in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objective: This study investigated the blood-lead levels of some subjects of Enyigba lead-zinc mining community. Methods: A questionnaire on health hazards and safety measures associated with the mining activities was administered to the participants. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of blood-lead levels by standard methods. Results: Males dominated in the occupationally-exposed (56.18%) and females (62.30%) dominated in the environmentally-exposed. Almost all the occupationally-exposed subjects (96.63%) and environmentally-exposed subjects (80.33%) store mined products in their houses. Majority of the occupationally-exposed subjects (69.67%) were not aware of the hazards and safety measures, and 75.28% did not use personal protective devices. Headache (74.40%) was reported as the most prevalent sickness. The occupationally and environmentally-exposed subjects had mean bloodlead levels of 42.30μg/dl and 28.67μg/dl, respectively, which were significantly higher (p<0.0001) than the control levels. Conclusion: Given the increasing participation of many households in lead mining activities and the storage of the lead products in homes, lead contamination may remain a significant public health issue in the study area.