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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Charcoal making

5. POOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

6. THE BLACK MOUNTAIN IN KABWE

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. YOUTHS LEARNING ABOUT LEAD POLLUTION

16. 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

17. 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.

18. THANK YOU