Slum dwellers to be tested for lead poisoning as senate probes factory

Mombasa, Kenya: Public health officials have announced the need for lead poisoning tests in a Mombasa slum due to concerns over exposure to emissions from a nearby factory. The recommendation is based on a screening that found abnormally high levels of the toxic metal in three children from Uhuru Owino slums in Changamwe.

The Senate’s health committee joined public health officials in appealing to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and public universities to assist in carrying out tests on soil and water for lead, and the screening of the estimated 5,000 slum residents.

Mombasa county director of the National Environmental Management Agency (Nema) Wachira Bore last week said that Metal Refinery Kenya Limited, which smelts car batteries to extract lead for export, did not have a licence to operate in that area.

“The EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for establishment of plants that deal with such hazardous metals is issued by the head of office. This plant did not get a licence to start the battery smelting work because it had not met our requirements. This is why I had it closed down last year,” said Bore.

Teething issues

But the factory management denied these allegations and said the plant, which was started about four years ago, was closed last year for administrative rearrangements and would reopen soon. Managers even claim that government officials have launched negative propaganda against the firm and tried to extort its owners.

“Our plant stopped operations due to some teething management issues, not because we were directed to do so by any government officials. We have complied with everything and we will reopen any time soon,” said the firm’s managing director, who only wanted to be identified as Suresh.

A report compiled in 2009 by chief government chemist George Kakuta indicates that three children from the Uhuru Owino area, whose blood samples were screened, had lead levels exceeding the World Health Organisation recommendation of 10ug/100ml.

One of the children, then 12-year-old Catherine Auma, was found to have a blood lead level of 12ug/100ml, while ten-year-olds Moses Odhiambo and Daniel Bazil had lead levels of 17ug/100ml and 23ug/100ml, respectively.

Government chemists termed the levels life-threatening and advised that the minors seek medical attention immediately, but did not blame the battery smelting plant for the high levels of the metal.

A non-governmental organisation, the Centre of Environmental Action, had applied through the local Green Belt Movement for the tests to be carried out, saying that many local people risked losing their lives due to the high levels of lead in the area.

There have been complaints of children suffering constant health problems and many women having miscarriages.

“Our children are always sick. They complain of persistent stomach aches, decreased appetite, hyperactivity, sleeping problems or irritability,” Sarah Odongo, a resident, told The Standard on Sunday.

Last week, public health authorities from Changamwe sub-county in Mombasa warned that all residents of Uhuru Owino ought to be screened for lead. Responding to questions of why the police, medical and environment protection authorities have allowed this plant to operate for years, officials claimed the factory has operated illegally after it was allegedly shut down a couple of years ago.

Public health officials who met the Senate’s health committee on a tour of the plant said the Government had taken action against the alleged polluter. They said the factory had closed two days earlier, when managers received reports it was due for investigation, but Suresh dismissed these claims.

“Several reports have been compiled about the factory. We first ordered its closure in 2009, but they continue to operate secretly. Lead is a very dangerous metal and it causes severe mental disorders, miscarriages or impotence,” said John Ndung’u, the senior public health officer in charge of Changamwe when he addressed the Senate health committee.

Ndung’u said lead poisoning occurs when the metal builds up in the body, sometimes over a period of months or years, and that the alleged emissions from the plant have been reported for more than four years.

He questioned whether Nema could have licensed the plant in such a densely populated area and said the abnormal levels of lead found in the children could have been inhaled from soil and effluents.

“Due to ignorance, many residents have not come for screening. We appeal to them to do so because lead is a dangerous metal,” said Ndung’u.

He lamented that enforcing measures against such factories was difficult due to lack of adequate legislation and public ignorance.

Members of the senate committee were led by their chairman, Migori Senator Wilfred Machage, on the tour of the factory following a petition by 92 residents through Nominated Senator Emma Mbura.

Soil samples

Dr Machage said the owners of the factory must appear before the committee to explain their operations.

“It is clear that this factory is still operating despite the fact that it was supposed to have been closed down two years ago. It is true that were have complaints and we have witnessed that it has affected the locals,” he said.

“We have summoned the owners of the factory before the committee to tell their side of the story because the information we have is that this factory closed two days ago after they heard that we would be visiting the area.”

Experts from the government chemist will be sent to the area to take soil samples and test locals, the senator added, then come up with fresh reports about the level of lead in the area.

Machage urged local universities to help in the investigation as it emerged that the Government lacked adequate facilities to find out the extent of the effects of emissions.