CHILDHOOD LEAD-POISONING IN AFRICA - A GROWING PUBLIC-HEALTH PROBLEM

Gasoline sold in most African countries contain 0.5-0.8 g/l lead. In u rban and rural areas and near mining centers, average lead concentrati ons reach 0.5-3.0 mu g/m(3) in the atmosphere and > 1000 mu g/g in dus t and soils. In addition to automotive and industrial sources, cottage industries and the burning of paper products, discarded rubber, batte ry casings and painted woods for cooking and heating represent additio nal hazards to individual households. Lead paint, lead solder and lead cosmetics are unregulated in some countries. Although African childre n are particularly predisposed to environmental lead exposure, because of their lifestyle and socioecological factors, a true picture of chi ldhood lead poisoning ill the continent remains undefined. Recent prev alence studies show that over 90% of the children in urban and rural c ommunities of the Cape Province, South Africa have blood lead levels g reater than or equal to 10 mu g/dl. Studies in other countries likewis e suggest that childhood lead poisoning is a widespread urban health p roblem throughout the continent.