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ABUJA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- An international agency is urging Nigeria to release an environmental fund in order to help resolve a lead poisoning disaster in the northern state of Zamfara.


Ivan Gayton, head of Medecins Sans Frontiers, said Thursday that 850 million naira (5.3 million U.S. dollars) had been available since November to help deal with the lead poisoning crisis but the government has yet to release it.

"This fund will be an amazing first step to address the problem in Zamfara and particularly for the estimated 1,500 children in Bagega, who are suffering and dying of lead poisoning," Gayton said.

Gayton said an estimated 400 children have died in the disaster, while 1,500 families were still suffering long-term effects of the lead poisoning that was found in March 2010 in northern Nigeria's Zamfara State.

High levels of lead exposure can cause a variety of health problems including brain damage, reproductive problems, and high blood pressure. It can also lead to death in severe cases.