Following the incident involving the release of toxic waste and acids from the Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited mine in Chambishi into the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers last February, it is reported that there have been numerous findings of multiple dead fish and people exhibiting symptoms consistent with heavy metal poisoning among those living along and downstream of the Mwambashi river.
It is therefore recommended that those living in the area:
– Avoid the Sino Metal Leach mine area in Chambisi, specifically the downstream of the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers for at least 25km.
– Avoid river water for at least 100km from the site of the spill and avoid all water sources such as rivers and streams, wells and submerged water bodies within 20km from the mine.
– Use and drink only safe water. Please note that boiling water does not remove heavy metals. Distillation can however reduce the presence of heavy metals in the water.
– Avoid consuming fish products that come from (or have probably passed through) the affected areas.
– Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms attributable to heavy metal poisoning.
Prolonged exposure to low levels of heavy metal contamination can have serious negative health effects that may emerge even years after contamination. The most vulnerable people are children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include:
1. gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sepsis, abdominal pain, loss of appetite)
2. neurological problems (headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, numbness and tingling in the extremities, tremors and behavioral changes);
3. respiratory problems (shortness of breath, lung irritation and accumulation of fluid in the lungs)
4. skin problems (lesions, irritation, yellowing of the skin and eyes)
