Lead poisoning in children from townships in the vicinity of a lead–zinc mine in Kabwe, Zambia

•We measured blood lead levels in children near a Pb–Zn mine in Zambia.•100% of the sampled children under 7years had BLLs>5μgdL−1.•Highest BLLs were seen in children around the age of 2years.•BLLs>150μgdL−1 were recorded 8 children with a maximum of 427.8μgdL−1.•The children living around the Pb–Zn mine are at serious risks of Pb poisoning. Childhood lead poisoning is a serious public health concern worldwide. Blood lead levels exceeding 5μgdL−1 are considered elevated. In Kabwe, the capital of Zambia’s Central Province, extensive Pb contamination of township soils in the vicinity of a Pb–Zn mine and posing serious health risk to children has been reported. We investigated BLLs in children under the age of 7years in townships around the mine; where blood samples were collected and analyzed using an ICP-MS. All of the sampled children had BLLs exceeding 5μgdL−1. Children in these areas could be at serious risk of Pb toxicity as 18% of the sampled children in Chowa, 57% (Kasanda) and 25% (Makululu) had BLLs exceeding 65μgdL−1. Eight children had BLLs exceeding 150μgdL−1 with the maximum being 427.8μgdL−1. We recommend that medical intervention be commenced in the children with BLL exceeding 45μgdL−1.