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Toxic Dust Falls: Lead Poisoning Plagues Nigerian Town
18 Nov
Summary
- Seven in ten people tested near Nigerian factories had harmful lead levels.
- Lead levels in Ogijo soil were up to 186 times hazardous levels.
- US companies continue to import lead despite known health risks.
Crude factories in Ogijo, Nigeria, recycle lead for American companies, releasing toxic dust that poisons the local population. Blood tests on 70 volunteers revealed that seven out of ten had harmful lead levels, indicating widespread poisoning in a community of over 20,000 people.
This crisis is driven by US companies seeking cheaper lead sources as domestic regulations tighten, pushing the health risks onto countries with lax enforcement. Despite the known dangers and evidence of contamination up to 186 times hazardous levels, the supply chain remains opaque, with companies often deflecting responsibility.
Nigerian officials have taken some action, temporarily closing some factories. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to governmental constraints, and promises of improvement often fall short, leaving residents exposed to a preventable public health disaster.
