The Lead Project
Location: Owino Uhuru
Timeline: February – April 2011
Funding: IPEN-ISIP (International POPs Elimination Network-
International SAICM Implementation Project)
Objectives: Reduce exposure of vulnerable people to lead; develop
awareness on environmental and public health effects of lead; empower community
advocates in affected area
About the project: Lead metal is known to have enormous economical
value, especially in the industrial sector. However, research has documented
that it can have tremendously disastrous consequences to human health and the
environment if not well handled. In humans, overexposure to lead has been
linked to disruption of the biosynthesis of hemoglobin with resulting anemia,
rise in blood pressure, kidney damage, miscarriages and sperm damage,
diminished learning abilities of children, behavior problems in children, and
brain damage.
In
Kenya, high levels of lead emissions were found to occur in urban areas where
there are more industries, fumes from motor vehicles, and large dumping sites.
Currently in Owino Uhuru, lead extraction from used car batteries by the nearby
Metal Refinery Company exposes workers to lead as well as the community as a
whole. There, residents have linked lead exposure to miscarriages and
abnormalities in their children including fatigue, diminished learning
abilities, weak joints and bones, and reduce senses, among others.
Additionally, high levels of lead have been found in three children of the
area.
With
funding from IPEN-ISIP, Eco Ethics launched a campaign against lead poisoning
in order to take the first steps toward reducing lead exposure for the people
in Owino Uhuru. In just three months the project accomplished several
objectives:
- Planning with members
of the community
- Production of ICT
Materials in which 2 banners, 50 posters, and 10 t-shirts conveying
messages of the dangers of lead poisoning were distributed to the
community
- Sensitization Workshop
where 31 members of the community learned of the harmful effects of lead
and ways in which they can help reduce their exposure to lead
- Training of Trainers
in which 12 members of the community were trained on relevant
environmental laws, management of community initiatives, and development
of advocacy campaigns in order to spread this knowledge within the community
- Community Organization
through the development of the Uhuru Empowerment Group
- Campaign for By-Laws
and Policy Enforcement where Eco Ethics and other stakeholders inspected
the metal refinery
The
effects of the campaign have been positive thus far. Results from this first
phase will be expanded upon through the following phases, scheduled to being
May 2011.
The POPs Project
Location: Mombasa
Timeline: September 2009 to July 2011
Funding: UNDP Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Progamme
Objectives: Reduce production of unintentional POPs by Mombasa's informal economy; raise awareness of chemical pollution; develop alternative income-generating activities
About the project:
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are among our most harmful chemical pollutants. Since they resist breakdown by chemical and biological processes they can remain in the environment - water, soil and air - for decades, and accumulate in the food chain. In humans, POPs are linked to serious health effects such as cancer, diabetes and disruption of reproductive systems. Most at risk are breast-feeding infants and workers regularly exposed to the chemicals. Sufferers of HIV/AIDS with weakened immune systems are also vulnerable.
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| Waste may be burned to get rid of it or to extract materials to sell such as metal wire. |
This workshop brought together stakeholders from the government, the private sector and civil society to discuss POPs in Mombasa and seek a way forward. |
The most infamous source of POPs is the pesticide DDT, but they are also released as by-products from the burning of materials including tyres, electronic waste and plastics. Such activities are common in the slum districts of Mombasa. In the informal (juakali) sector, youths burn used car-tyres to extract wire for re-sale, scrap-metal dealers melt down electronic waste in the search for valuable metal, and open burning of trash, though illegal, is a daily occurrence in the absence of a proper collection system. Workers and nearby residents breathe in the toxic fumes, while ash drains into watercourses and pollutes local water supplies.
With funding from the Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme, Eco-Ethics launched a project to sensitise juakali artisans to the potential consequences of their work and help them find alternative sources of income. The project proposal had four components:
- To carry out a baseline survey in juakali areas such as Kibarani to measure the level of awareness of the environmental and health issues, map pollution hotspots and record people's concerns.
- programme of public education and awareness-raising, including sensitisation workshops, on-site visits and a bimonthly POPs talk series.
- Promotion of best available technology and best environmental practices through training for artisans and youth groups, and demonstration of alternatives.
- To establish a civil society network in Mombasa to lobby municipal authorities to introduce new bylaws and enforce existing policies on safe chemicals management.
There are examples of artisans successfully developing alternative livelihoods. For example, rather than burn car tyres for wire, groups can recycle them to make brake pedals, toys or tyre-soled shoes. Nevertheless, the entire production chain must be considered. For example, Eco-Ethics learned of one group who made products from vehicle tyres. Their work was commendable - save for the fact that their refuse ended up in Kibarani, where it was eventually burnt.
Results from the baseline survey revealed a low level of environmental awareness among juakali communities and high levels of poverty and drug use. We used findings and interview footage from the survey to create a video documentary, which was featured on Kenya's KTN News environment show and has since proved a useful education tool. Project stakeholders identified from government, civil society and research institutions gathered at a workshop to share information and agree on an action plan. We also held a successful workshop for artisans involved in activities that lead to POPs. During the day, participants were introduced to the hazards of POPs and considered alternative activities. Many promised to take the message back to their fellow workers. It was a positive step, but work on the project in education, capacity-building and lobbying continues.