A preliminary report from a major chronic illness research project in Yobe State has identified the presence of dangerous heavy metals in water samples consumed by residents of Gashua, a town grappling with a decades-long and deadly kidney disease burden.
The findings were disclosed by Professor Mahmoud Maina, Lead Researcher and Director of the Biomedical Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, Damaturu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The research focuses on Gashua, Jakusko, and other communities along the Yobe River, areas that have been severely impacted by high rates of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for years.
The disease has resulted in elevated mortality and morbidity, creating a persistent public health crisis.Professor Maina, a neuroscientist, explained that the detected metals cadmium, lead, and arsenic are known environmental toxins and potential triggers for CKD.“If you find them close to your environment, then know that they can result in not only kidney disease but also other conditions like cancer and dementia,” he warned, noting these substances should not be present in a normal, healthy environment.
The report indicates that CKD in the region is driven by a combination of factors. While known medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension play a significant role, environmental exposure appears to be a critical contributor. Notably, the data suggests fishermen in the area are disproportionately affected by the disease compared to other groups, potentially pointing to heightened exposure through their work on the river.The findings are part of a large-scale, state government-sponsored research project conducted by BioRTC.
The center collaborated with a 50-person international team of scientists from the United States, United Kingdom, Ghana, and other countries. The team, which included nephrologists, geologists, chemists, geneticists, and environmental scientists, collected over 3000 human and environmental samples.
These included urine, blood, food items, farm soil, and water from both the river and boreholes.
