Impact of Lead contamination on children in kabwe, zambia Caleb mulenga :KABWE, zambia Day of general discussions 23 september 2016 GENEVA

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Environmental Problems affecting children in Kabwe Problems associated with Lead pollution Children s’ rights violated by Lead pollution Actions taken by Children Requests for action to the government and the UNCRC

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING CHILDREN IN KABWE Annual flooding due to poor drainage Contaminated drinking water from shallow wells Poor sanitary conditions – Outbreaks of water borne diseases Poor waste management system Air pollution due to use of charcoal by more than 75% of households Air and land pollution from Lead

Charcoal making

POOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

THE BLACK MOUNTAIN IN KABWE

impact OF LEAD ON CHILDREN Lead is a heavy toxic metal with poisonous effects on the human body and is found in the soil around the old mine In Kabwe Lead gets into the human body through inhalation and ingestion Health effects of excessive lead exposure It affects memory, coordination, speech Affects the cognitive development of children Results in Stomach pain, numbness, tiredness, weight loss Results in Disability and death at high doses

Why Children are mostly affected Smaller bodies result in proportionally greater impact Children tend to ingest more dirt Development is still in progress in children

LEAD PROBLEMS IN KABWE High lead levels in the soil Blood lead levels in Children is above WHO standards The Black Mountain is main source of lead dust Stone crushing is also a big source of lead exposure Roads, open spaces are highly contaminated

HOW LEAD AFFECTs CHILDREN S’ ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS Children relaxing in a yard that has been cleaned of Leda

Children s’ rights affected by lead poisoning in kabwe The Right to Life, Survival and Development Right to be Heard and Access to Information on lead poisoning- Inadequate information Right to participation- Children not involved Right to Health- Living in polluted environment Right to Rest, Leisure and Play- contaminated play parks, no safe play facilities in place

ACTIONS TAKEN BY CHILDREN IN KABWE Introduction of Eco Clubs in schools Implementation of photo voice project- identifying safe and unsafe spaces for children through photography Formation of the Kabwe Environment Youth Network Youth to Youth Lead awareness information sharing Linking with the UNICEF Climate Change ambassadors

YOUTHS LEARNING ABOUT LEAD POLLUTION

REQUESTS TO OUR PARENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT Development of safe play parks for children Schools around the mine should be rehabilitated Treat all children with high blood lead levels Equip schools and community libraries with Lead exposure reduction information Conduct Public Health campaigns on community lead exposure reduction Provide alternative income generating projects for stone crushers at the black mountain

APPEAL to the uncrc Governments to include environmental rights violations of children and corrective measures in their reports to the UNCRC. Request our governments to enhance child participation in lead exposure reduction and environmental decision making processes Call upon the government and the mines to be held responsible for the pollution they cause Start blood lead level testing and treatment for children.

THANK YOU