Author: Dominic Joel Ombati

Educational Outreach

Featured by Dominic Joel Ombati, posted in Educational Outreach

Dominic Joel Ombati, PhD

According to the United Nations Environmental Program, lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that is toxic even at very low exposure levels, with both acute and chronic effects on human health. It is also harmful to plants, animals, and microorganisms in the environment. Lead can originate from human activities (anthropogenic) or from natural sources (geogenic). Lead poisoning occurs when individuals, particularly children, are exposed even to low levels of lead.

Lead poisoning is a serious global health issue, and nearly every county in the United States has a childhood lead poisoning prevention program. Studies conducted in some African countries such as Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia have found that some paints sold for home use contain incredibly high levels of lead, reaching up to 470,000 parts per million (ppm). These concentrations are several times higher than the 90 ppm limit recommended by the United Nations for lead in paint.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the dangers of lead poisoning. To raise awareness about this health issue, I (Dominic Joel Ombati, PhD) have developed a digital educational outreach program aimed at populations worldwide who are at higher risk of lead poisoning. This program has garnered over 10,000 followers across 23 countries, including the United States. Many followers come from sub-Saharan Africa, which has experienced the largest documented childhood lead poisoning outbreak.

To my knowledge, this digital educational outreach program is the first of its kind, utilizing a sustainable, self-funded approach to raise awareness about lead poisoning through targeted social media campaigns focused on at-risk populations worldwide.

The outreach is facilitated through a website that connects to a corresponding Facebook page and group. The Facebook page, group, and website provide links to credible information on lead poisoning at no cost. The goal of this outreach is to reach as many people as possible.

Links to credible educational materials on childhood lead (Pb) poisoning (Click on the link).

1. California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB).

2. World Health Organization (WHO), Lead Poisoning.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention.

4. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lead.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention information page is detailed and helpful. Some of the information it contains include the following: (Click on the link).

  1. Primary and secondary lead (Pb) exposure prevention.
  2. Sources of lead (Pb) exposure.
  3. Health effects of lead (Pb) exposure.
  4. Testing children for lead (Pb) poisoning.
  5. Blood lead (Pb) levels in children.
  6. Populations at higher risk of lead (Pb) poisoning.
  7. Frequently asked question about lead (Pb) poisoning.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lead (Pb) information page has detailed educational materials. Some of the information it contains include the following: (Click on the link).

  1. Basic information about lead (Pb).
  2. How to protect your family from lead (Pb).
  3. Basic information about lead (Pb) in drinking water.
  4. Lead (Pb) air pollution.
  5. Pdfs with lead (Pb) safety documents and outreach materials.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) educational pdf materials are one of the best and most comprehensive. Some of the information they contain include the following: (Click on the link).

  1. Ways to protect your child from lead (Pb).
  2. How to keep a newborn safe from lead (Pb).
  3. How to check for lead (Pb) in and around your home.
  4. Sources of lead (Pb).
  5. How to protect your child from lead (Pb) in paint.
  6. How to protect your child from lead (Pb) in dirt.
  7. How to identify some ceramics and pottery that may contain lead (Pb).
  8. Common folk remedies that contain lead (Pb).
  9. How to protect your child from lead (Pb) in jewelry.
  10. The need to have your child tested for lead (Pb).
  11. How healthy foods can keep your child safe from lead (Pb) poisoning.

World Health Organization (WHO), Lead Poisoning information page includes the following: (Click on the link).

  1. Key facts about lead (Pb).
  2. Sources of lead (Pb) and how people can be exposed to lead (Pb).
  3. Health effects of lead (Pb) in children.

Scientific Research

by Dominic Joel Ombati, posted in Scientific Research

Dominic Joel Ombati, PhD

My research in environmental geology focuses on the fate and transport of lead (Pb) along the arid section of Route 66 in San Bernardino County, California. Fate and transport research examines how chemicals degrade and how they move through the environment when released, either intentionally or unintentionally. “Transport” refers to the movement of chemicals through air, water, and soil, while “fate” describes how these chemicals change in the environment.

In my research area, anthropogenic lead (Pb) mainly originated from leaded gasoline that was deposited during the time when it was commonly used. My PhD in Earth Science research examined the spatial distribution, surface transport mechanisms, and chemical fractionation of lead (Pb) along the arid Route 66 in California. Additionally, I developed a digital educational outreach program specifically focused on lead (Pb) poisoning, targeting populations that are at a higher risk of exposure.

Scientific Research on Lead Poisoning

The Largest Known Outbreak of Lead Poisoning

The worst-documented case of childhood lead (Pb) poisoning occurred in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria, where about 400 children died, and thousands more were left disabled due to exposure in artisanal gold mining villages (Dooyema et al., 2012; Plumlee et al., 2013). This outbreak was discovered in 2010. Gold ores containing lead-rich veins were mined manually and transported in household bags to the villages for processing (Plumlee et al., 2013).

The first stage of ore processing involved breaking down these lead-rich gold ores manually using hammers, followed by grinding the broken ore fragments with household mortars and pestles or using gasoline-powered flour mills, which were also used to grind grains for the villagers (Plumlee et al., 2013). This grinding process generated a significant amount of easily inhalable lead-rich dust.

To concentrate the gold particles, the ground lead-rich gold ores were washed with water from village sources. The concentrates were then mixed manually with liquid mercury in household cooking pots to form a gold-mercury amalgam, allowing for the extraction of small gold pieces when the mercury was vaporized (Plumlee et al., 2013). This process significantly exposed the villagers to mercury, a substance also known to be harmful to human health. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes mercury-free gold mining techniques for artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Additionally, older children worked in these hazardous conditions with their family members at the processing and sometimes processing and storage of lead (Pb) rich gold ores occurred where children played and lived (Plumlee et al., 2013).

Researchers found that children under 5 years old who survived had Blood Lead Levels (BLL) of up to 370 µg/dL (Dooyema et al., 2012). The CDC recommends a Blood Lead Level (BLL) of less than 3.5 µg/dL. Worse off, soils contaminated by washing wastes were used to make bricks for building houses in the villages (Plumlee et al., 2013). There was high lead (Pb) exposure at all stages of gold mining and processing in these artisanal gold mining villages, and that is how the worst documented lead (Pb) poisoning disaster occurred. Several agencies responded to this outbreak, and the situation has improved; however, much more needs to be done to prevent future outbreaks.

This digital educational outreach program has made deliberate online efforts to target the affected artisanal gold mining villages in Zamfara State, Nigeria, with links to credible digital educational materials on lead (Pb) poisoning.

Author Profile

by Dominic Joel Ombati, posted in Author profile

Dominic Joel Ombati, PhD

 

ACADEMIC PREPARATION

                                     Degrees

  1. PhD in Earth Science, 2024 (Environmental Geology). Loma Linda University, USA.
  2. M.S. Geology, 2016 (Sedimentology). Loma Linda University, USA.
  3. B.S. in Biology with a focus on Education, 2010. Bugema Adventist University, Uganda.
  4. MBA Finance (Evening Classes), in progress. Zapara School of Business. La Sierra University, USA.

                                 Professional Certificates/Courses

  1. Project Management by Google, 2022. 6 courses with 27 modules.
  2. Digital Marketing & E-commerce by Google, 2022. 7 courses with 30 modules.
  3. Sustainability Analyst by Arizona State University, 2024. 3 courses with 21 modules.
  4. Age of Sustainable Development by Columbia University, 2024. 1 course with 15 modules
  5. Environmental Law & Policy by The University of North Carolina, 2024. 1 course, with 7 modules.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE/REGISTRATION

  • LEED Green Associate certification issued by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).Issued Feb 2025 · Expires Feb 2027. Credential ID: 11655936-GREEN-ASSOCIATE.

 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a leading certification for sustainability professionals, widely recognized in the U.S. and internationally, that promotes environmentally responsible practices in design and construction.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE/REGISTRATION IN PROGRESS

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). This is the top professional credential in finance provided by the CFA Institute, which is considered the gold standard for financial professionals, especially in the investment management field.
  • Certified Professional Geologist (CPG). This is an advanced credential in geology provided by the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) via a thorough peer-review process.

WORK EXPERIENCE

                     Assistant Professor, La Sierra University (2024- Present)

  • Assistant Professor in the Sustainability Studies Program. My responsibilities include designing and teaching sustainability courses, as well as conducting academic research in sustainability, with a strong focus on employability and entrepreneurship in this high-growth, emerging industry.
  • The courses I teach include  Introduction to Geology, Introduction to Sustainability, Corporate Sustainability (covering Sustainable Investing and Sustainability Reporting), Project Management for Sustainability, Writing Sustainability Reports, Environmental Science, and an Internship in Sustainability.

                   Graduate Research Assistant, Loma Linda University (2012- 2024)               

  • Managed scientific research projects and conducted scientific research under the guidance of my research advisor. Scientific research was on sedimentary geology and environmental geology.
  • Developed skills in grant applications, planning and organizing scientific analytical work, presenting at professional and scientific meetings, and documenting scientific data.
  • Developed sustainability projects focusing on environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

RESEARCH INTEREST

  1. Environmental Sustainability.
  • Fate and Transport of Contaminants in the Environment. The focus is on lead (Pb) along Route 66 near Barstow, CA.
  1. Social Sustainability.
  • Lead Poisoning Awareness. I am raising lead (Pb) poisoning awareness using Facebook. I have reached 91,000 people, and 10,000 of them are followers.
  1. Economic Sustainability.
  • Data-Driven Sustainable  Investing Strategy. I have developed a profitable, data-driven investing strategy focused on digital assets, stocks, ETFs, and derivatives. This is a six-figure investing strategy.

GRANTS

  • In 2018, I received a $10,000 grant from the Faith & Science Council of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This grant funded a digital educational outreach program I created to address the intersection of science and religion.
  • Received $ 870 from the Geological Society of America (GSA) Graduate Student Research Grant Program, 2017. This grant partially funded my PhD research.
  • Awarded a $ 630 travel grant from the Geological Society of America’s On To the Future program in 2017. This grant partially funded my travel expenses for an annual meeting.
  • In 2017, I received a $125 travel grant from the Geological Society of America Cordilleran Section Travel Grants Program, which partially funded my travel expenses for an annual meeting.

AWARDS

  • Lathrop Award from Loma Linda University Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, 2015, 2016, and 2018. This award is presented for a poster presentation at scientific meetings.
  • Grant award from the Loma Linda University Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, 2017 and 2018. This award is given to students who have received grants.

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

  • Member of the Geological Society of America (GSA).                                
  • Member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).

SERVICE TO PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

  • Currently serving as a member on two national committees of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).

CONFERENCE PAPERS AT THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (GSA) WEBSITE

THESES/DISSERTATION

LABORATORY EXPERIENCE

  • Thirteen years of laboratory experience in sedimentary and environmental geology with expertise in X-ray diffraction, Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, thin sectioning, particle size analysis, magnetic susceptibility, and point counting.