**9. Lead in air**

The grinding of lead ore into fine particles to extract gold has resulted in extensive dispersal of lead dust within and outside the family compounds. This unsafe gold mining practice resulted in massive environmental contamination in the affected villages of Zamfara state. Ingestion and inhalation of the fine lead particles was reported to be the major reason for high blood lead levels (BLLs) in the bodies of victims of lead poisoning. People are often exposed to lead from contact with very fine soil particles carried into houses as airborne dust or on shoes, clothing or pets. Lead from airborne sources is usually taken into the body by inhalation (or breathing). Exposure to airborne lead may result from eating garden produce grown in or near contaminated soil. Contaminated lead dust may settle on edible leaves and fruits [18].
