EVENT
A Perfect Storm in Nigeria
- Title:
- A Perfect Storm in Nigeria
- Presenter:
- Ian von Lindern; Margrit von Braun
- Affiliations:
- TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering, Inc
- Date:
- 2013-01-15
- Academic Year:
- 2012/13
- Description:
- A perfect storm of environmental, cultural and economic conditions precipitated an unprecedented epidemic of lead poisoning in Nigeria. Due to the soaring price of gold, subsistence farmers employing their wives and children in primitive artisanal mining could triple family income. However, prevailing Sharia practices required that the ore be brought into the home to crush and grind. The ore was often more than 10% lead, resulting in mass poisoning of more than 30,000 people and the deaths of 400-500 children. Since 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières and TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering have collaborated in cleanup and medical treatment, decreasing mortality rates from >30% to <2%. Daunting cultural, logistic, socio-economic challenges were encountered in adapting sophisticated engineering and medical protocols to remote locations with little resources or infrastructure.The cleanup involved more than 350 villagers, 80 local government personnel, and 28 international advisors, including 19 Idaho residents and 10 University of Idaho alumni and students.
- Original Link:
- http://www.uidaho.edu/class/mric/archives/2012-2013/a-perfect-storm-in-nigeria
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- Citation:
- "A Perfect Storm in Nigeria", Renfrew Colloquium Archive, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections, https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/mric/items/mric2012-13-010.html