Interdisciplinary approach to addressing lead pollution caused by mining activity in Kabwe, The Republic of Zambia

Industrial development and economic growth have made human life more convenient. However, the accompanying environmental pollution is a serious problem. The same situation that developed countries have experienced in the past is now being repeated in developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa. Although lead has long been a useful metal in supporting human life, it is highly toxic to living organisms and affects various biological functions, including the kidneys and nervous system. Lead is one of the substances symbolizing the trade-off between industrial and economic development and environmental pollution. Kabwe in the Republic of Zambia, a town that grew out of the discovery and development of lead-zinc deposits, is now known as one of the most lead-polluted areas in the world. While Kabwe is a classic example of the trade-off described above, it is distinct from other polluted areas in that it has been the site of diverse academic research. These include geological survey of the mine, the characterization of mine wastes, monitoring of environmental and animal samples, human health impact studies, understanding of lead dispersion pathways, and development of remediation technologies for contaminated environments. In environmental monitoring, several studies have reported lead concentrations in soil of up to tens of thousands of mg/kg, and lead concentrations in crops exceed international standards by up to 770 times. Extremely high concentrations of lead have also been detected in wildlife, livestock, and humans. Various toxicological studies have been conducted on humans in particular. These studies reveal the contamination status and its effects. However, the elucidation of the diffusion pathways and the development of environmental remediation methods using materials that can be procured locally at low cost pave the way to solving the problem. This review comprehensively outlines these studies in chronological order, as well as the efforts of the Zambian government and future perspectives. This report also provides some guidance on how to promote academic research and problem solving in other polluted areas.