Workers sue Zambian fertiliser company for radiation poisoning

Forty two workers have sued Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) for an alleged high rate of deaths at the company allegedly due to excessive exposure to radiation.

This is according to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court by the workers from the NCZ radiation department against their management. They claim that there have been higher death rates in their department than any other, raising suspicion that this could be due to radiation poisoning.

They alleged that NCZ had been negligent in handling radioactive operations and had refused to facilitate specialised medical examinations for the workers. The workers submitted that in 1989, NCZ management acquired and installed at its plant in Kafue equipment that primarily used radioactive material for production of energy in the making of fertiliser.The workers have further submitted that the installer informed NCZ management and workers assigned to operate the equipment that it emitted dangerous radiation.

It is alleged that both management and workers were warned of the dangers of over exposure to the emissions and the need for management to put in place mechanisms to prevent unnecessary exposure to them.

The workers submitted that by law, NCZ as an operator of radioactive materials, was mandated to provide its workers with protective clothing and dosimetry badges for detecting the levels of exposure to radiation. They also claimed that NCZ was mandated to facilitate medical tests to
determine whether or not the workers were fit to operate the equipment and also to monitor the levels of poisoning in their blood system after a reasonable amount of exposure.

The workers submitted that management had failed, refused and neglected to provide the plaintiffs with any protective clothing and dosimetry badges. The also alleged that despite the numerous reminders, NCZ had failed to provide the specialised medical examinations.

They complained that they have suffered various unusual ailments and suspect radiation poisoning resulting from unprotected and over exposure to unmonitored radiation emissions.

The workers want an order compelling NCZ management to facilitate specialised medical examinations and blood tests for any level, effects and damage resulting from radioactive exposure in line with their duties. They further want an order compelling NCZ management to mitigate the damage and compensate them, assuming that they have suffered damage as a result of radioactive exposure.

The workers also want damages for negligence, costs and other relief that the court might deem fit.

Daily Mail