COME FIRST, GET RIGHT ANSWER

Issue No. 4 THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA Government Chemist Labaratory Agency NEWS LETTER GCLA wins the All Africa Public Service awards Cont. to Page 4 Students during the visit to the faculty of Chemistry - Government Chemist Laboratory Agency in the process of getting more practical in science subjects, in picture together with the some of the GCLA staffs. COME FIRST, GET RIGHT ANSWER Story on Page4! By: E gwae Nowadays, the quality of imported and exported chemical products in many countries in the world, are more important than ever before. Most of the chemical products particularly pharmaceutical drugs in our country are claimed to have substandard quality. These affect both its market and endanger health of the user. Cont. to Page 4 Children Toy with Lead Paints in Tanzania By: B. N. Masambu GCLA intend to undertake lead evaluations from children toy paints currently highly available Cont. to Page 4

COME FIRST, GET RIGHT ANSWER. As result, Product s market would become unreliable and diminish its demand. On the other hand, the health of the user would be jeopardized and environment contaminated. The Government Laboratory Agency, one of the core functions is to control and provide advisory consultation on the quality of the products. GCLA Laboratory has been receiving Pharmaceutical Drugs from various clients including Government institutes, private sector, NGOs, individuals and conducting analysis to obtain scientific solutions. Our Laboratory has modern, sosphicated, scientific analytical instruments which are designed for control and check the quality of pharmaceutical drugs. One of the prominent analytical instruments which is used daily in our laboratory to check the quality of pharmaceutical drugs is called High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Modern, Sosphicated High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) has capacity of analysis 100 samples per 4

single analysis. It is equipped with Four Detectors namely Ultra Violent /visible, Photodiode Array, Fluorescence and Refractive Index. Our modern Varian HPLC has a capacity of analysis of at least 100 samples per single analysis. It is equipped with Four Detectors namely Ultra Violent /visible, Photodiode Array, Fluorescence and Refractive Index. Ultra Violent /Visible and Photodiode Array detectors is for screening and confirming the quality of many Pharmaceutical Drugs such as Fansider, Artemether, and Ciproflaxin. Fluorescence detector is for analyzing and confirming the quality of many toxic cereal poisons such as Alfatoxin. Refractive Index is analyzing the quality of many sugar products such as Sucrose and Fructose. Some of the Pharmaceutical Drugs analyzed were found to be substandard in both its ingredients concentration and its Assay as compared to their reference standards. Through analytical reports, GCLA has managed to provide the scientific advice to the client and give the right answer to their 5

quality of Pharmaceutical Drugs. We do ask the society to have a culture of checking the quality of products before consumption/ use or whenever they suspect any suspicious concept concerning its quality. Come to our laboratory, do not hesitate and you will get the right answer to your scientific problems. Our clients appreciate the validity and analytical results at short time and found that our laboratory is the right place. This leads to Mutual Trust, Mutual Faith and Mutual Cooperation. Read ely a quart GCLA etter L s w e N Prepared by Emmanuel Gwae Head of Instrumentation and Maintenance Unit. 6

Editorial GCLA WINS IN THE ALL AFRICA PUBLIC SERVICE INNOVATION AWARDS (AAPSIA) By: A. Senzota The All Africa Public Service Innovation Awards (AAPSIA) was hosted on the night of 14/10/2008 in Johannesburg South Africa, as part of the sixth African Conference of Ministers for Public/Civil Service. The inaugural All Africa Public Sector Innovation Awards Ceremony marks a key milestone in the journey to restore the historic innovative capacity of the African continent. The All Africa Public Sector Innovation Awards is the brainchild of the fourth African Conference of Ministers. AAPSIA is at the centre of Africa s Broader Governance and Public Administration Programme. This programme is aimed at building capacity in the public sector across the continent. The AAPSIA initiative is part of the bigger endeavor by the African ministers to cultivate an enabling environment within the public sector for the development and nurturing of innovative ideas and initiative. The express aim of AAPSIA is the celebration of innovation in Africa and the awards celebrate brilliance within the continents public sector that would otherwise remain unknown and unacknowledged. A total of 59 project entries for the 2008 awards were received under the following categories: Innovative service delivery improvement Minister for President Office Public service Management Hon Hawa Ghasia of Tanzania receiving Trophy from Deputy Prime Minister for Botswana Hon Dr Libertina Amathila for the winner of category three of Innovations in systems and processes of government. 7

Minister for President Office Public service Management Tanzania and other members of AAPSIA receiving Trophy for the winner of category three of Innovations in systems and processes of government on The All Africa Public Service Innovation Awards (AAPSIA) that was hosted on 14/10/2008 in Johannesburg South Africa, as part of the sixth African Conference of Ministers for Public/Civil Service. The category recognises improved delivery of services and stakeholders external to government, and improved internal efficiency within the public sector. Innovative partnership between government, private sector and civil society The category recognises creative partnership that result in better co-operation between government and other social partners for the purposes of service delivery. Innovations in systems and processes of governance The category applauds accountability, trans8 parency and ethics in public service innovation. The winners of the first AAPSIA awards were announced at the banquet of the sixth conference last night. They are: Category 1: Innovative Service Delivery: Winner: Local Government Automation in the Arab Republic of Egypt First runner up: Friends of Mosvold Hospital, South Africa Second runner up: Mwacafe Iron and Manganese removal on point ground wa-

Chief Government Chemist Dr Ernest Mashimba (left) with other official who attended award giving ceremony ter systems, Ghana Category 2: Innovative partnerships between government, private sector and civil society Winner: Masibambane Water Sector Support Programme, South Africa First runner up: Nyakibale Midwifery Training School, Uganda Second runner up: The Dar Es Salaam 20 000 Project, Tanzania Category 3: Innovations in systems and processes of government Winner: Management Control of Chemicals, Tanzania First runner up: Environmental Education and Public Awareness, Mauritius Second runner up: Development Plan System, General Directorate of Civil Service, Algeria The awards programme is the first Africa wide programme that celebrates innovation in the African public sector. 9

Discovery WAKALA WA MAABARA YA MKEMIA MKUU WA SERIKALAI YAPATA USHINDI WA KWANZA KATIKA MASHINDANO YA UBUNIFU KATIKA UTUMISHI WA UMMA AFRIKA By: A. Senzota 1.0 CHIMBUKO LA MASHINDANO YA UBUNIFU Kongamano la Mawaziri wa Utumishi wa Umma Barani Afrika (Pan African Public / Civil Service Ministers Conference) katika Mkutano wao wa 5 ulilofanyika mwezi Desemba 2005, Addis Ababa nchini Ethopia, walizindua rasmi Mashindano ya Miradi ya ubunifu katika utumishi wa sekta ya umma (All Africa Public Sector Innovation Award) ili kuboresha utoaji huduma zinazomlenga Mwananchi (Public Focused) Lengo la mashindano hayo ni kuongeza ubunifu, kuboresha na kuhamasisha ufanisi katika utoaji huduma kwa wananchi katika Serikali za Bara la Afrika. Mashindano hayo yanakusudia kutoa fursa katika kubadilishana uzoefu, kupashana habari na ikiwezekana umma kuiga uzoefu na ujuzi kutoka kwa wengine Barani Afrika ili kuboresha utoaji huduma. Lengo hilo linaenda sambamba na malengo ya Kongamano la Mawaziri wa Utumishi wa Umma Barani Afrika. 2.0 USHIRIKI WA MIRADI YA UBUNIFU KATIKA SEKTA YA UMMA Mwaka 2007, July Wakala wa Maabara ya Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali ulipokea barua kutoka Ofisi ya rais Menejimenti ya utumishi ikiutaka Wakala ushiriki katika mashindano ya ubunifu katika utumishi wa umma yanayosimamiwa na umoja wa Afrika (AU). OR MUU iliulekeza Wakala kwamba taarifa za namna ya kushiriki na malengo ya mashindano hayo zinapatika katika tovuti (website) ya NEPAD 2.1 Lengo (Purpose) Umoja wa Africa (AU), NEPAD (New partnership for Africa s Development) na Mkutano wa 5 wa Kongamano la Mawaziri wa utumishi wa umma walitangaza zawadi za ubunifu katika sekta ya umma Barani Afrika. Lengo mahususi la zawadi hii ni kuweza kutia moyo na kuhamasisha katika utendaji mahiri (best practice) wa sekta ya umma 12

katika ubunifu wa kutoa huduma. Zawadi hii hutoa nafasi ya kubadilishana uzoefu, taarifa na kujifunza na inapowezekana kuiga mafanikio ya wengine na kuyatumia katika bara la Afrika Zawadi hii ni moja ya programu ambayo inasherehekea ubunifu katika sekta ya umma ambayo inatambua na kuzawadia mafanikio ya sekta ya umma na ubia kutoka sekta binafsi na mashirika yasiyokuwa ya Kiserikali (NGOs) ambao yameweza kufanikisha kuandaa ubunifu wa kuweza kupata ufumbuzi katika kutoa huduma na changamoto za utawala bora. 2.0 Ushiriki Wa miradi ya ubunifu katika sekta ya Umma Katika mashindano ya ubunifu kwenye sekta ya utumishi wa umma Barani Afrika (All Africa Public Sector Innovation Award) ya mwaka 2008, Tanzania ni miogoni mwa nchi 10 za Afrika zilizowasilisha miradi ya ubunifu katika sekta ya Umma kupitia Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii (Wakala wa Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali) na Wizara ya Ardhi. Miradi iliyowasilishwa katika mashindano ya mwaka 2008, ilikuwa 59, kati ya hiyo, 35 ilikuwa ya ubunifu kwenye kuboresha Utoaji huduma (Innovative Service Delivery Improvements), 19 katika ubia wa utoaji huduma na sekta binafsi (Partnerships Service Delivery) na 5 katika ubunifu wa mifumo na mchakato wa utawala bora (Innovative systems and process of Governance). 3.0 Mchakato wa Ushiriki Wa miradi ya Ubunifu katika Sekta ya Umma Wakala wa Maabara ya Mkemia Mkuu Public Service Week 2009 Technical Committee for Industrial and Consumer Chemicals Inauguration Technical Committee for Industrial and Consumer Chemicals Inauguration 13

wa Serikali ulishiriki katika kundi la 3 (Category III) la miradi ya ubunifu wa mifumo na mchakato wa utawala bora (Innovative systems and process of Governance). Katika kundi hilo miradi 5 ilishindanishwa ambayo iliwasilishwa na nchi za Afrika Kusini, Algeria, Mauritius na Tanzania. 3.1 Vigezo vya Kustahili Ushiriki Public Service Week 2009 Public Service Week 2009 Vigezo vya Kustahili Ushiriki vilikuwa kama ifuatavyo:- Chimbuko la Mradi lazima liwe kwa kiwango kikubwa kutoka ndani ya Bara Afrika; Mradi uwe unatoa manufaa ya moja kwa moja kwa wananchi wa nchi husika au katika Bara la Afrika; Zawadi/mashindano ni wazi kwa mtu binafsi, idara ya serikali taasisi ya umma na hata ubia na sekta binafsi au vikundi vya kijamii; Mradi uwe unafanya kazi katika sekta ya umma kwa angalau miaka miwili; na Tarehe ya mwisho wya kuwasilisha miradi ni 30/11/2007 3.2 Aina ya Makjundi (Categories) Zawadi/Mashindani yalikuwa ya aina tatu ambazo ni:- 3.2.1 Ubunifu katika uboreshaji wa kutoa huduma(innovative Service Delivery Improvements) Miradi hii ilihusisha ubunifu katika kuboresha utoaji huduma kwa wananchi na wadau nje ya serikali au kuboresha ufanisi wa ndani katika sekta ya umma (Improve internal efficiency within the public sector) 14

3.2.2 Ubunifu wa ubia kati ya Serikali na sekta binafsi na vyama vya kijamii(innovative Partnerships between Government, Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations) Miradi katika eneo hili ilijumuisha ubunifu wa ubia ambao unatoa matokeo bora kuliko matarajio ya mradi (Involve creative partnerships that have resulted in better than anticipated outcomes for the project;) au kuwepo kujengeka mahusiano ya kudumu kati ya Serikali na vyama vingine vya kijamii kwa kushirikishana na ushauri elekezi (Have built sustainable relationships between government and other social partners through alternative approaches to participation and consultation) 3.2.3. Ubunifu wa Mifumo na mchakato wa Utawala Bora (Innovations in the Systems and Processes of Governance) Miradi ya ubunifu yenye uelekeo wa kujenga uwajibikaji, uwazi na maadili katika kutoa huduma kwa umma ambayo inathamini michango na ushiriki wa raia(projects focused on building accountable,transparent and ethical public services,which value the input and participation of citizens). 3.3 Vigezo vya Kustahili Kuchaguliwa (Criteria for selection) Vigezo vya Kustahili kuchaguliwa vilikuwa kama ifuatavyo 3.3.1 Ubunifu (Innovation) Mradi uonenye ubunifu wa wazo ambalo limetekelezwa kwa ufanisi katika sekta ya umma Barani Afrika. Hii ina maanisha kwamba mradi usiwe umefanyiwa ushindani kabla katika eneo husika yaani unatakiwe uwe mpya kwa nchi au jamii husika 3.3.2 Matokeo (Impact) Mradi lazima uoneshe ubora na umahiri wa utoaji huduma kwa jamii na uweze kuwaridhisha wananchi katika katika kiwango cha juu (Project must demonstrate tangible improvements in quality in service delivery on their target group). 3.3.3 Mradi lazima uwe Endelevu (sustainability) Mradi uwe umefanya kazi katika sekta ya umma kwa angalau miaka miwili; Mradi lazima uweze kutekelezeka na kuonesha kuengezeka katika utekelezaji Mradi lazima uoneshe kuwa ni endelevu ili kuboresha mazingira ya kiuchumi na kijamii 3.3.4 Zawadi za Ushiriki katika Mashindano ya Ubunifu katika Sekta ya Umma (benefits of entering the All Africa Public Sector Innovation Awards) Zawazi 3 za washindi kila kundi ambazo zinatangazwa kimataifa na ambayoinahusisha utoaji huduma katika sekta ya umm katka Bara la Afrika Washindi wote watapatiwa zawadi na Washindi wote wa Kwanza wa tapatiwa ngao na cheti kutambua mafanikio ya ubunifu wao 4.0 USHINDI WA UBUNIFU KATIKA MIFUMO NA MCHAKATO WA UTAWALA BORA (INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS AND PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE) 4.1 Waamuzi (Judges) Waamuzi (Judges) wa washindi wa miradi walitoka katika kila Kanda Barani Afrika yaani Afrika ya Kati, Kusini, Kaskazini, Magharibi na Afrika Mashariki. Katika nchi za Afrika Mashariki ziliwakilishwa 15

Pichani juu, wapili kutoka kushoto ni Mkemia Mkuu Dr. Ernest N. M. Nashimba na wajumbe wa Kamati ya Nidhamu na Ajira na Mwamuzi kutoka nchini Kenya. Wakala wa Maabara ya Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali katika kundi la miradu ya ubunifu wa mifumo na mchakato wa utawala bora (Innovative systems and process of Governance) ilipata ushindi wa kwanza katika Mradi wa Usimamizi na Udhibiti wa Kemikali kwa kutumia Sheria Na. 3 ya 2003 za Kemikali za Viwandani na Majumbani, ya pili ilikuwa taasisi kutoka nchini Mauritius katika Mradi wa Elimu ya Mazingira na Kuhamasisha Wananchi (Environmental Education & Public Awareness) na ya tatu ilikuwa taasisi kutoka nchini Algeria, katika mradi wa ubunifu wa Mfumo wa Mipango ya Maendeleo ( Development Plan System). 5.0 KUKABIDHIWA ZAWADI Zawadi za ushindi katika miradi ya ubunifu katika utumishi wa sekta ya umma Barani Afrika (All Africa Public Sector Innovation Award) mwaka 2008, zilitolewa nchini Afrika ya Kusini katika Ukumbi wa Mikutano wa Sandton tarehe 14.10.2008. Aidha, Mh. Hawa Ghasia (Mb.), Waziri wa Nchi Ofisi ya Raisi - Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma alikabidhiwa zawadi ya Kwanza ya Wakala wa Maabara ya Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali katika kundi la Ubunifu wa Mifumo na Mchakato wa Utawala Bora (Innovative systems and process of Governance na Mh Dk. Libertina Amathila, Naibu Waziri Mkuu wa Namibia. 6.0 MWISHO Hivyo basi kwa zawadi hii ni kielelezo cha Wakala katika umahiri na ubora wa kutoa huduma kwa jamii kama yalivyothibitishwa katika mashimdano hayo. 16

Children toy with LEAD PAINTS in Tanzania Discovery BY B. N. MASAMBU 1.0 INTRODUCTION GCLA intend to undertake lead evaluations from children toy paints currently highly available in Tanzanian market. Chemical analysis of toy paints will be done to identify the quantity of lead in the toy paints currently circulating in the market. The main objective of this study is to obtain baseline information on the safety of these toys in order to recommend further research work of the toy paint as regards their safety for children use and if proved recommend for regulation in order to safeguard the public (children). It will also give profile information on the safety of toys paints for making marketing decision and raise awareness to the public on the threat of many imported toy products having dangerous chemicals. Painted toys suspected to contain lead are on increase worldwide causing concern to their use especially children who can even put in their mouth causing a possible swallowing after dissolving. The increasing number of imported toy products from different countries poses a threat to our children on the possibility of consuming lead painted toys. This realization prompted the Government Chemist Laboratory Agency to propose the investigation on the toy products by identifying type of toys containing lead paints, its quantities in Dar-es-salaam market in the financial year 2010/2011. Background Chemical substances provide important functionality in a wide range of products. Many chemicals can be used with a high degree of safety when best practices are followed. However, the use of toxic chemicals in products is a growing concern for public health and the environment. There are many hazardous chemicals used for manufacturing various products mostly heavy metals like Nickel, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Silver, Arsenic and Copper. These are highly toxic metal used in manufacturing various products for human consumption. Some products which may contain these chemicals are toys, textiles, jewellery, paints, tattoo ink and many others. International trade results in many manufactured products being transported among regions. Trade in manufactured 17

products is an increasingly important factor in the global transport of toxic substances. From toys, textiles and household items to electronic equipment and automobiles, toxic substances in products make a significant contribution to the global burden of toxic substances pollution. Lead is a main-group element with symbol Pb (Latin: plumbum). Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal, also considered to be one of the heavy metals. Lead has a bluishwhite colour when freshly cut, but tarnishes to a dull greyish colour when exposed to air. It has a shiny chrome-silver lustre when melted into a liquid. Metallic lead does occur in nature, but it is rare. Lead is usually found in ore with zinc, silver and (most abundantly) copper, and is extracted together with these metals. The main lead mineral is galena (PbS), which contains 86.6% lead. Other common varieties are cerussite (PbCO3) and anglesite (PbSO4). Lead is highly resistant to corrosion, and because of this property, it is used to contain corrosive liquids (e.g., sulphuric acid the car batteries). The corrosion resistant and malleable property of lead gives it an extensively use in building construction, glazing bars for stained glass. Lead has been commonly used for thousands of years because it is widespread, easy to extract and easy to work with. It is highly malleable and ductile as well as easy to smelt. Lead (II) forms a series of complexes with chloride, the formation of these chlorides altered the corrosion chemistry of the lead and limit the solubility of lead in saline media the property for the manufacture of lead pigments. Lead pigments were used in lead paint manufacturing whereby white, yellow, orange, and red pigment were produced. Lead carbonate white was used by the Japanese geisha and in the West for face-whitening make-up, which was detrimental for health. Most have been discontinued because of the dangers of lead poisoning. Lead is added to paint to speed drying, increase durability, retain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. Paint with significant lead content is used in industry for manufacturing of paints which are used in various domestic appliances and toys. A study of toys conducted in three metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, revealed that toys made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) are potentially toxic to children because it contains both lead and cadmium. Lead or cadmium compounds were used as stabilizers but they readily leach out. Moreover, they can also be used in pigments to impart bright colours to toys in order to attract children. 18

About 77% samples of branded toy samples purchased and collected from Mumbai and analysed (including large prayers like Mattel, Lego and Funskool) had very high lead ranging from 878.6 to 2104 ppm which exceeds 600ppm the highest limit for US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in painted toys. This poses a threat to children exposed to such toys. From this study red and yellow colours had high content while white show least. The fact that these toys were made to look attractive to children is even more sinister. Health effect Examinations of chemical in article particularly lead is not something strange, there are some nation and international organs which put their effort through various research. Children of Minnesota in 2006 died due to ingestion of a metallic charm with a high level of lead and the associated products drawing the attention of the public, regulators and the media. Children experienced abdominal pain, vomiting, weight losses, loss of appetite constipation, irritability, diarrhoea, constipation and behaviour changes. The bloods of children with the documented symptoms have been found to have concentration of lead beyond 60µg/dL the level considered the maximum for early symptoms. However the level of concentration at which symptoms appear vary widely between 25 and 60µg/dL, depending on unknown characteristics of each individual. For such concentration neuropsychiatric effect such as delayed reaction times, irritability, and difficulty concentration, as well as slowed nerve conduction and headache can occur. Symptoms may be different in adults. The main symptom of higher level of lead in adults are headache, abdominal pain, memory loss, kidney failure, male reproductive problems, and weakness, pain, tingling in the extremities. In acute poisoning, typical neurological signs are pain, muscle weakness, irritability and behaviour changes. Absorption of large amount of the metal over a short time can cause shock (insufficient fluid in circulatory system) due to loss of water from the gastrointestinal tract which can rupture the red blood cells causing anaemia and haemoglobin in the urine. Exposure Routes of exposure to lead include air, water, soil, food, and consumer products. Occupational exposure is a common cause of lead poisoning in adults. Children living near facilities that process lead, such as smelters, have been found to have unusually high blood lead levels. Lead paints have been identified as a major route of lead exposure in children. Lead paint that exists in many homes has been considered as a largest threat to children particularly older ones; thus children in older housing with chipping paint are at greater risk. Deteriorating lead paint and lead-containing household dust are the main causes of chronic lead poisoning. Many young children display behaviour of 19

eating things that are not food. Eating chips of lead paint presents a particular hazard to children, generally producing more severe poisoning than occurs from dust. Even a small amount of a lead-containing product such as a paint chip or a sip of glaze can contain tens or hundreds of milligrams of lead presenting a serious risk if ingested. Outside of occupational hazards, the majority of lead poisoning occurs in children under age twelve through the ingestion of lead contaminated soil (through leaded gasoline) and from ingestion of lead dust or chips from deteriorating lead-based paints. Small children also tend to teethe and suck on painted windowsills as they look outside. Inhalation is the second major pathway of exposure. Almost all inhaled lead is absorbed into the body, whereas from 20% to 70% of ingested lead is absorbed (with children generally absorbing a higher percentage than adults do). Dermal exposure plays a role for exposure to organic lead among workers, but is not considered a significant pathway for the general population, except in areas where leaded gasoline is used. Although children are at greater risk from lead exposure, adult exposures can also result in harmful health effects. Most adult exposures are occupational and occur in lead-related industries such as lead smelting, refining, manufacturing industries and home/ building renovation that involves scraping, remodeling, or otherwise disturbing leadbased paint. In 1998, the US Government instituted regulations which limit the amount of lead in toys and other consumer products which are expected to be used by infants to 0.06% (or 600 ppm). During the implementation of this regulation various stores have been recalling Chinese made toys were found to contain high lead. In 2006 for-example over 1 million toys were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for having higher lead content contrary to the regulation. That s over one million children innocently could have been playing with these hazardous substances if not recalled. As mentioned earlier children poisoned with higher level of lead may have attention problems, becomes more aggressive against peers or school performance slips. No one suspects that a toxic chemical in toys could be the cause even if more blatant symptoms of lead poisoning occur (such as loss of appetite, digestive difficulties, or motor problems). Health and medics likely can not discover lead exposure as a contributor to the behavioural symptoms. Lead can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and headaches in children. In very large quantities, it can kill. It might be true that no one would know that children have been damaged by the lead in toys and that even the retailers are not aware of high lead toys being sold to the market do have poisons to children. High lead poisons surfacing all over the 20

World calls for high attention to a third World Country like Tanzania to take very serious efforts in testing samples of the toys in the market. The alarming situation Worldwide calls for GCLA to take a leading roll in undertaking such important investigative research of high lead poison toys surfacing Tanzania market. Research rationale The study will be done in Dar es Salaam. The areas were chosen for the following reasons: Dar es Salaam inhabitants are largely urbanized because it is mixed socioeconomically; containing people of higher socio-economic and relatively low socioeconomic status whose citizens include a large proportion of people having urban, semi-urban, semi-rural and rural life. These characteristics are very important as a major market of Toys imported in the country. It was estimated that about 60% of Toys imported in Tanzania are consumed in Dar es Salaam City. Dar es Salaam Region population is estimated to be 3million of which the main age group structures from the current population are as follows: < 1 year of age accounts for 3.1%, 1-4 years (10.4%), 5-14 years 21.9%) making a total of age population using these Toys to be 35.4%. REFFERENCES 1. Brunton, L.L.; Goodman, L.S.; Blumenthal, D.; Buxton, I.; Parker, K.L., ed (2007). Principles of toxicology. Goodman and Gilman s Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. McGraw- Hill Professional.. 2. Kosnett M.J. (2005). Lead. in Brent, J. Critical Care Toxicology: Diagnosis and Management of the Critically Poisoned Patient. Gulf Professional Publishing. 3. Pearce J.M.S. (2007) Burtons line in lead poisoning. European neurology 57 (2): 118-119 4. Rutherford J. Gettens; Hermann Kühn; W. T. Chase (1967). Identification of the Materials of Paintings: Lead White. Studies in Conservation 12 (4): 125 139. 5. Rachel I. Massey, Janet G. Hutchins, Monica Becker and Joel Tickner (2008) Toxic Substances in Articles: the Need for Information. Nordic council of Ministers, Copenhagen 6. Sanborn, Md; Abelsohn, A; Campbell, M; Weir, E ( 2002). Identifying and managing adverse environmental health effects: 3. Lead exposure CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l Association medicale canadienne 166 (10): 1287 92 7. Turner (2005) Working to prevent lead poisoning in children: Getting the lead out. JAAPA Official Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants 22 (7) 40 45 21