Abstract

Since 2010, federal, state, and local governments have collaborated with international health agencies and NGOs to address epidemic lead poisoning associated with artisanal gold mining in Nigeria. More than 400 children died and thousands of people have been severely poisoned. Response activities have included emergency soil remediation to reduce unprecedented exposures, chelation treatment in out-patient clinics, and advocacy programs promoting health education. Remediation involved removing contaminated soils and covering areas with “clean” backfill soils.