Ethiopian EPA acquires first field scanner to combat lead poisoning and toxic contamination

This handheld technology, valued at nearly 5 million ETB, was donated by Pure Earth, an international non-profit organization. Firew Kefyalew, Pure Earth’s East Africa Director, handed over the device to EPA officials in Addis Ababa on August 3, 2026. EPA experts plan to deploy the analyzer in September to assess contamination in four priority areas identified as lead hotspots: Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, and Adama.

The non-destructive analyzer can detect nearly 30 periodic table elements within seconds, allowing for faster identification of contamination hotspots and generation of scientific evidence for regulatory actions. Frenesh Mekuria, Deputy Director General of the EPA, stated that the partnership with Pure Earth has strengthened national coordination on lead poisoning prevention and led to the development of Ethiopia’s Five-Year National Lead Poisoning Prevention Roadmap. About ten EPA professionals have been trained through Pure Earth’s Toxic Site Identification Program to identify and prioritize lead-contaminated sites.

Lead exposure remains a critical threat in Ethiopia, causing irreversible damage, particularly in children. While the XRF Analyzer provides significant diagnostic capability, Firew Kefyalew emphasized that expanded infrastructure, additional technologies, and decentralized monitor