By Abdullahi Lukman
A recent study has revealed the alarming levels of airborne lead exposure in Nigeria’s artisanal mining sector, with findings showing exposure rates that exceed the U.S. permissible limits by up to 10 times.
Published on Monday, May 12, 2025, the study is believed to be the first to document airborne lead levels from artisanal lead miners, a significant source of lead contamination affecting local communities.
The research, conducted in Northern Nigeria, found that lead exposure levels from gold ore processing are even more severe, with levels more than 30 times higher than the allowable exposure limits.
The study monitored both manual and machine-based grinding techniques used by artisanal miners to extract gold.
Lead is primarily used in manufacturing lead batteries, which are in high demand due to their role in supporting clean energy initiatives, especially in rural areas without electricity grids.
However, lead mining, as well as the manufacturing and recycling of these batteries, is associated with significant health risks, particularly for children.
According to the study, lead exposure is responsible for widespread childhood lead poisoning in mining communities, with miners, particularly those working underground, facing exposure rates up to 22 times higher than occupational safety standards.
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The study also sheds light on the growing problem of informal lead mining across the globe.
Artisanal lead mining operations, often unregulated and lacking safety measures, are increasingly linked to severe environmental contamination and health hazards, as seen in other parts of the world, including Kabwe in Zambia and southern Myanmar.
Perry Gottesfeld, Executive Director of Occupational Knowledge International (OK International), emphasized the urgent need for attention to these informal mining practices.
He noted that these high levels of exposure to lead and other metals are not only damaging the health of miners but also poisoning entire communities, contaminating homes and water sources.
Lead exposure, even at low levels, is known to cause neurological damage and is linked to over 5 million deaths each year, primarily due to cardiovascular diseases.
In Nigeria, the government has attempted to curb mining activities in Zamfara State, where lead poisoning has reached critical levels, but enforcement has been largely ineffective.
Despite government efforts to regulate the sector, informal mining remains a significant part of the lead supply chain, particularly as demand for lead batteries continues to grow globally.
The study suggests that investing in safer mining practices could yield significant health and economic benefits by reducing the costly consequences of lead poisoning in these communities.
