CHILD EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN THE VICINITIES OF INFORMAL USED LEAD-ACID BATTERY RECYCLING OPERATIONS IN NAIROBI SLUMS, KENYA

Abstract

Lead exposure from informal used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling operations is a serious environmental health concern. Research shows that young children living in the vicinities of these operations have elevated blood lead levels and fatalities have also been reported. From January 2015 to August 2015, the study investigated child exposure to lead in the vicinities of informal ULAB recycling operations in Nairobi slums, Kenya. This was in consideration of activity patterns of children under seven years that influenced exposure levels through house dust and soil. Top soil (N = 232) and floor dust (N = 322) samples were collected from dwelling units (N = 120) and preparatory schools (N = 44) and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) at the Mines and Geological Department Laboratory in the Ministry of Mining, Nairobi. From the lead levels in soil and house dust obtained, child blood lead levels were subsequently predicted using the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model for Lead in Children (IEUBK), Windows version. Results indicated high indoor and outdoor lead contamination in studied areas. Lead loadings in all the floor dust samples (100%) from Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums exceeded the US EPA guidance value for lead on floors with a range of 65.2 – 58,194μg/ft2. Control floor dust samples recorded lower lead loadings as compared to the values recorded in Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums. 70.7% of the soil samples collected from waste dumps, industrial sites, residential areas, playgrounds and preparatory schools in Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru recorded lead concentrations that exceeded the respective US EPA guidance values for lead in soils. Lead concentration in all (100% of) the control soil samples were below the respective US EPA guidance values. From the IEUBKwin predictions, nearly 99.9% of children ≤ 7 years old living near informal ULAB recycling operations in Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums, were at risk of being lead poisoned with predicted blood lead levels above the CDC reference value for blood lead. 99.9% of exposed children living in Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums are likely to have blood lead levels above 20 μg/dL, 19 μg/dL and 34 μg/dL respectively. The study established that Dandora, Kariobangi and Mukuru slums face vast environmental health challenges, with many children at risk of lead poisoning due to the rapid unprecedented growth of informal ULAB recycling. The soil and house dust results demonstrate the need for coordinated efforts towards decreasing lead emissions from informal battery recycling in Nairobi slums and to remediate existing soils particularly around battery workplaces and dumpsites. Child blood lead levels should be clinically tested and appropriate intervention measures taken.