Prevent Children Exposure to Lead – Dr. Dickson Adjei Urges
Dr. Michael Rockson Adjei, the Ashanti Regional Deputy Health Director in-charge of public Health has urge Ghanaians to stay away from the usage of metal lead which is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust.
Dr Rockson indicated in an interview with Silver FM’s Akwadaa Nyame that it is a toxic element which can cause long-term health effects despite its benefits.
He explained that lead poisoning especially in babies and children below the age of 5 years damages their brain at that tender age before maturity while this same lead poisoning can damage adults kidney and third lungs.
This he said leads to long-standing problems affecting the nervous-system, cognitive and other physical damages.
In a workshop organized by Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Dr Michael Rockson Adjei explained that, the global challenge including Ghana is the largest electronic waste dumping ground. Most of this e-waste is shipped from other countries including United States, Japan, and Europe.
He said, as a means of economic sustenance for Ghanaians who earn lower incomes, this e-waste is burnt at the dumping sites to recover metals for sale.
Besides Ghana’s unique situation as an e-waste hub, the country’s rapid development and industrialization as a lower middle-income country is also contributing to heavy metal pollution. Heavy metal pollution especially from lead, which was previously recognized as an occupational poison has moved beyond the workplace into air, water and soil due to its increased use.
Artisans in the informal automotive industries, particularly in Kumasi Suame magazine work in dangerous recycling operations breaking open battery cases, spilling acid and lead dust into the soil, and smelting the recovered lead in crude, open-air furnaces that emit toxic fumes poisoning the surrounding community, he disclosed.
He then advise Ghanaian parents not to expose their wards to lead which can have adverse impact on their health .
”It can damage the child’s brain and nervous system, lead to stunted growth, cause behavioral and learning challenges and hearing and speech-related issues” he said
SOURCE: Akwadaa Nyame(SilverFM)
