/oss/taxonomy/term/1275/all en /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-health-news-toxicity/tarnished-gold-rush <p>It’s hard for us here in North America to believe that gold is killing hundreds of children in Nigeria. Well, it isn’t exactly the gold that is killing them, it is the lead oxide and lead carbonate in the dust that is stirred up in the search for tiny gold nuggets. There is no modern machinery here, the miners work with shovels and hammers. They bring rocks home and pound them into dust in the quest for bits of gold that may allow for an improved life. The lead-laden dust settles on everything, including clothing and food. Water becomes contaminated as it is used to rinse away the dust.</p> Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:44:48 +0000 Alexandra Pires-Ménard, OSS Intern 2030 at /oss /oss/article/science-science-everywhere/nigerias-land-twins <div> <div> <div> <div> <p style="text-align:justify">Nope. You’re not seeing double. You’re just seeing twins. And they seem to be virtually everywhere in West Africa, especially in Igbo-Obra, a quiet farming community in Nigeria. A sign proclaiming “The Nation’s Home of Twins” welcomes visitors at the entrance of the town. According to the community leader, “There is hardly a family here without a set of twins.” He, himself, had three sets but only one pair survived, whereas his father had 10 sets of twins.</p></div></div></div></div> Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:43:17 +0000 Melody Ko MD 1551 at /oss