Title : KABWE: THE MOST TOXIC CITY IN THE WORLD

Details : Kabwe, Zambia's second-largest city, suffers severe pollution despite closure of lead and zinc factories in 1994. Its industrial legacy dates back to 1901, marked by decades of lead extraction without environmental concern. Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines emitted toxic fumes until '94, contaminating soil within 20km. Lead, used in car batteries, poses severe health risks like neurological issues, paralysis, and organ infections, particularly affecting children who play on contaminated ground. A World Bank study post-decontamination project in 2011 found soil lead levels over 10 times higher than US standards. The factory closure caused widespread unemployment, worsening the region's health crisis. Contaminated water leads to malnutrition and diseases like dysentery, cholera, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Pamela's solution : Efforts to address Kabwe's pollution crisis include soil purification for 120 households by NGOs like Terre des hommes Germany and Pure Health since 2015. Clogged channels from mine runoff are being repaired, and drug treatments are provided for high lead levels. A $15 million World Bank-funded decontamination plan ended in 2011, followed by a $65 million aid project in 2016 for Kabwe and other mining areas. Education on lead exposure risks is provided by Blacksmith Institute and local NGO KERF. However, relocating homes to safer areas faces resistance from families reluctant to leave their communities.