Beyond mining: A pioneer attempt to assessing lead exposure risks in Nigeria

Lead exposure persists as a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, with potential sources far more diverse and widespread than the well-documented artisanal mining activities. This study presents a pioneer and novel approach to assessing lead exposure risks across Nigeria's states through the development of a Lead Exposure Index. Utilizing road density, aerosol optical depth, poverty, and Google Trends data, we employed Principal Component Analysis to create a screening tool. The index reveals a complex landscape of lead exposure risks, with urban centers like Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory emerging as high-risk areas alongside northern states. This pattern underscores the role of urbanization, historical development, and environmental factors in shaping exposure risks. Temporal analysis of Google Trends data highlights a spike in public interest following the 2010 Zamfara crisis, followed by a rapid decline, emphasizing the need for sustained awareness campaigns. While the unavailability of direct lead exposure data, such as elevated blood lead levels, limits validation, our index provides a valuable foundation for identifying potential hotspots and guiding intervention efforts. The study recommends implementing nationwide blood lead level testing, developing targeted interventions for high-risk areas, enhancing regulations on lead-based products, and conducting community-level studies. This methodology offers a pioneer screening assessment for lead exposure risk in developing countries facing similar data constraints, contributing to the broader effort of protecting vulnerable populations from lead poisoning.