About "Environmental pollution problems in Africa"

 

　Profile #6: Dr. NAKAYAMA Shota, Associate Peofessor

　Laboratory of Toxicology,

　Department of Environmental Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine  

 

　【Research Topic】

　・Environmental pollution problems in Africa




～Environmental pollution problems in Africa～

 

What comes to your mind when you hear “Africa”?

 

There are so many countries you have never visited, and where you would not even know the name of them… A lot of wild animals live there… The sky full of stars… The local people speak various languages…. and so on.

 

It might be hard to imagine, some serious problems keep creeping up in Africa. In our laboratory, we have been studying environmental pollution problems in Africa for many years. Actually, in the African region where recent development and economic growth have been remarkable, environmental pollution which significantly affect livestock, wild animals, and humans has become a major issue due to such development and industrialization.

 

As an example, in Zambia, it has become clear that the pollution of lead metal originated in mining activities is being serious. We identified that high levels of soil pollution in residential areas and high levels of lead which threatens food safety, in the edible parts of livestock and poultry from a collaborative research with university of Zambia. In addition, an analysis from blood lead concentration of residents has determined that the lead concentration of people living near the mine is particularly high. These data will be shared with the Zambian government to help formulate a treatment plans for relieving the lead poisoning.


The harmony between environment, animals and people is increasingly becoming crucial all over the world.

Would you like to conduct an international joint research on environmental issues in Africa?

 

　 

At the Clinic