28 Jul 2014

The Ministry of Health has not put any measures in place to monitor lead levels in the population living in high density residential areas traversed by heavy duty vehicles, says Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae.

When responding to a question in Parliament, Dr Somolekae said she was not even aware of the advice given by the Department of Animal Nutrition to farmers to avoid feeding their cattle with roadside harvested grass due to high lead contamination amongst other contaminants.

She was responding to a question from Francistown West MP, Dr Habaudi Hobona who asked the minister if she was aware of the advice given by the Department of Animal Nutrition to farmers to avoid feeding their cattle on the roadside harvested grass due to high lead contamination amongst other contaminants, Dr Hobona asked what system had been put in place to monitor the lead level in the population living in high density areas like Maipaafela and Kgaphamadi in her constituency.

Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children. Childhood lead exposure contributes to children developing intellectual disabilities. Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates overtime. Human exposure is usually assessed through the measurement of lead in blood.

There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The concern about lead’s impact on human health has led to phasing out of lead containing products in the market like petrol and paints. ENDS