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Du L, Li X, Lu X, Guo Y. The synthesis strategies of covalent organic frameworks and advances in their application for adsorption of heavy metal and radionuclide. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 939:173478. [PMID: 38815828 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a novel type of porous materials, with unique properties, such as large specific surface areas, high porosity, pronounced crystallinity, tunable pore sizes, and easy functionalization, and thus have received considerable attention in recent years. COFs play an essential role in the catalytic degradation, adsorption, and separation of heavy metals, radionuclides. In recent years, considering several outstanding characteristics of COFs, including their good thermal/chemical stability, high crystallinity, and remarkable adsorption capacity, they have been widely used in the removal of various environment pollutants. This review primarily discusses the synthesis strategies of COFs along with their diverse synthesis methods, and provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of recent research advances in the use of COFs for removing heavy metal ions and radionuclides from water bodies. Additionally, the adsorption mechanism of COFs with regard to metal ions was determined by analyzing the structural characteristics of COFs. Finally, the future research directions on COFs adsorb rare earth element was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Du
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, CAS and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicines of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, CAS and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicines of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, CAS and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicines of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Yong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources, CAS and Key Laboratory for Natural Medicines of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
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2
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Carsi Kuhangana T, Cheyns K, Muta Musambo T, Banza Lubaba Nkulu C, Smolders E, Hoet P, Van Loco J, Nemery B, Demaegdt H. Cottage industry as a source of high exposure to lead: A biomonitoring study among people involved in manufacturing cookware from scrap metal. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118493. [PMID: 38378125 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
In low-income countries, a widespread but poorly studied type of cottage industry consists of melting scrap metal for making cookware. We assessed the exposure to lead (Pb) among artisanal workers, and their families, involved in manufacturing cookware from scrap metal. In a cross-sectional survey, we compared artisanal cookware manufacturing foundries with carpentry workshops (negative controls) and car battery repair workshops (positive controls), all located in residential areas, in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). We collected surface dust in the workspaces, and blood and urine samples among workers, as well as residents living in the cookware workshops. Trace elements were quantified in the samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In surface dust, median Pb concentrations were higher in cookware foundries (347 mg/kg) than in carpentries (234 mg/kg) but lower than in battery repair workshops (22,000 mg/kg). In workers making the cookware (n = 24), geometric mean (GM) Pb blood cencentration was 118 μg/L [interquartile range (IQR) 78.4-204], i.e. nearly twice as high as among carpenters [60.2 μg/L (44.4-84.7), n = 33], and half the concentration of battery repair workers [255 μg/L (197-362), n = 23]. Resident children from the cookware foundries, had higher urinary Pb [6.2 μg/g creatinine (2.3-19.3), n = 6] than adults [2.3 (2.2-2.5), n = 3]. Our investigation confirms the high Pb hazard linked to car battery repair and reveals a high exposure to Pb among artisanal cookware manufacturers and their families, especially children, in residential areas of a city in a low-income country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trésor Carsi Kuhangana
- Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Kolwezi, Kolwezi, DR Congo; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, DR Congo.
| | - Karlien Cheyns
- Service of Trace Elements and Nanomaterials, Physical and Chemical Health Risks, Sciensano, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Taty Muta Musambo
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, DR Congo
| | | | - Erik Smolders
- Division of Soil and Water Management, Faculty of Bioscience engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Hoet
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris Van Loco
- Division of Soil and Water Management, Faculty of Bioscience engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Sciences Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Heidi Demaegdt
- Division of Soil and Water Management, Faculty of Bioscience engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Musa Obadia P, Pyana Kitenge J, Carsi Kuhangana T, Verpaele S, Ndala Nyongonyi A, Kayembe Kitenge T, Katoto PDM, Banza Lubaba Nkulu C, Nemery B. Hypoxaemia and risk of asphyxia during underground work in artisanal cobalt mines. Occup Med (Lond) 2024; 74:178-185. [PMID: 38332656 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half the cobalt needed for vehicle electrification originates from the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with a substantial part being extracted by artisanal miners. AIMS To investigate oxygen saturation during underground work among cobalt artisanal miners. METHODS In a field survey, we measured oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate by pulse oximetry in 86 miners from two underground mines and 24 miners from a surface mine at four different time points: before descent into the mine (T1), at 50 minutes in the mine (T2), upon leaving the shaft (T3), and 10 minutes after having left the mine (T4). RESULTS Miners working underground (-36 to -112 meters) were somewhat older (34.8 ± 6.7 years) than those working in the surface mine (32.0 ± 6.5 years), and they worked more hours daily (12.6 ± 1.2 hours) than controls (9.0 ± 0.0 hours). All participants had SpO2 >95% at T1 and T4. At T2, SpO2 dropped below 93% and 80% in 35% and 10% underground miners, respectively; SpO2 was still <93% at T3 in 13%. SpO2 remained stable among surface miners. Later, we showed that underground ambient oxygen levels decreased well below 21% in several pits. CONCLUSIONS Pulse oximetry revealed relevant hypoxaemia during underground work in a substantial proportion of artisanal miners. Such hypoxaemia without evidence of underlying cardiovascular disease is indicative of low ambient oxygen, due to insufficient mine ventilation. This may cause deaths from asphyxia. The hazards of low ambient oxygen in artisanal mines must be prevented by appropriate technical measures ensuring the supply of sufficient fresh air.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Musa Obadia
- Unité de Toxicologie et Environnement, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Pyana Kitenge
- Unité de Toxicologie et Environnement, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Département de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Unité de Santé au travail et Santé environnementale, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - T Carsi Kuhangana
- Unité de Toxicologie et Environnement, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - S Verpaele
- Belgian Center for Occupational Hygiene (BeCOH), 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - A Ndala Nyongonyi
- Unité de Toxicologie et Environnement, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - T Kayembe Kitenge
- Unité de Toxicologie et Environnement, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - P D M Katoto
- Centre for Tropical Diseases and Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Expertise Centre on Mining Governance (CEGEMI), Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Cochrane South Africa, Medical Council of South Africa, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
| | - C Banza Lubaba Nkulu
- Unité de Toxicologie et Environnement, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - B Nemery
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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4
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Kou B, Yuan Y, Zhu X, Ke Y, Wang H, Yu T, Tan W. Effect of soil organic matter-mediated electron transfer on heavy metal remediation: Current status and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170451. [PMID: 38296063 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Soil contamination by heavy metals poses major risks to human health and the environment. Given the current status of heavy metal pollution, many remediation techniques have been tested at laboratory and contaminated sites. The effects of soil organic matter-mediated electron transfer on heavy metal remediation have not been adequately studied, and the key mechanisms underlying this process have not yet been elucidated. In this review, microbial extracellular electron transfer pathways, organic matter electron transfer for heavy metal reduction, and the factors affecting these processes were discussed to enhance our understanding of heavy metal pollution. It was found that microbial extracellular electrons delivered by electron shuttles have the longest distance among the three electron transfer pathways, and the application of exogenous electron shuttles lays the foundation for efficient and persistent remediation of heavy metals. The organic matter-mediated electron transfer process, wherein organic matter acts as an electron shuttle, promotes the conversion of high valence state metal ions, such as Cr(VI), Hg(II), and U(VI), into less toxic and morphologically stable forms, which inhibits their mobility and bioavailability. Soil type, organic matter structural and content, heavy metal concentrations, and environmental factors (e.g., pH, redox potential, oxygen conditions, and temperature) all influence organic matter-mediated electron transfer processes and bioremediation of heavy metals. Organic matter can more effectively mediate electron transfer for heavy metal remediation under anaerobic conditions, as well as when the heavy metal content is low and the redox potential is suitable under fluvo-aquic/paddy soil conditions. Organic matter with high aromaticity, quinone groups, and phenol groups has a stronger electron transfer ability. This review provides new insights into the control and management of soil contamination and heavy metal remediation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Kou
- College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China.
| | - Yuxin Ke
- College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Tingqiao Yu
- International Education College, Beijing Vocational College of Agriculture, Beijing 102442, China
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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Yang L, Liangfang S, Yanhui L, Zuoyi Y. Recycling potential of cobalt metal from end-of-life new energy passenger vehicles in China. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X231219650. [PMID: 38297507 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x231219650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The growing demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs) has resulted in a corresponding increase in demand for cobalt as a critical material. It is crucial to estimate the cobalt resource recycling potential of China's NEV industry to ensure a balance between the supply and demand for cobalt metal minerals. This article is based on using the historical data of the new energy passenger vehicle (NEPV) sales volume from 2013 to 2022 to estimate the NEPV sales volume from 2023 to 2035. On this basis, the Weibull distribution was used to analyse the different sales scenarios (low sales and high sales) of NEPVs in China, and the recycling potential of cobalt metal in NEPVs was evaluated under three battery life scenarios (8, 10 and 12 years) from 2023 to 2035. Based on the above scenarios, in 2035, the greatest recycling potential of cobalt is predicted to be 166.9 kilotonnes, with economic values of CNY 49.01-94.60 billion. Moreover, the extent to which the recycling potential of cobalt can cover the market demand for NEPVs was analysed. Our analysis concluded that recycling cobalt as a secondary supply has emerged as a necessary solution to supplement the primary supply, which can make a significant contribution to alleviating the pressure of the supply and demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Sun Liangfang
- School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Liu Yanhui
- School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Ye Zuoyi
- School of international Business, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, Shanghai, China
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6
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Barregård L, Benford D, Broberg K, Dogliotti E, Fletcher T, Rylander L, Abrahantes JC, Gómez Ruiz JÁ, Steinkellner H, Tauriainen T, Schwerdtle T. Update of the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8488. [PMID: 38239496 PMCID: PMC10794945 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2009 risk assessment on arsenic in food carrying out a hazard assessment of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and using the revised exposure assessment issued by EFSA in 2021. Epidemiological studies show that the chronic intake of iAs via diet and/or drinking water is associated with increased risk of several adverse outcomes including cancers of the skin, bladder and lung. The CONTAM Panel used the benchmark dose lower confidence limit based on a benchmark response (BMR) of 5% (relative increase of the background incidence after adjustment for confounders, BMDL05) of 0.06 μg iAs/kg bw per day obtained from a study on skin cancer as a Reference Point (RP). Inorganic As is a genotoxic carcinogen with additional epigenetic effects and the CONTAM Panel applied a margin of exposure (MOE) approach for the risk characterisation. In adults, the MOEs are low (range between 2 and 0.4 for mean consumers and between 0.9 and 0.2 at the 95th percentile exposure, respectively) and as such raise a health concern despite the uncertainties.
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7
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Helmbrecht L, van Dongen SW, van der Weijden A, van Campenhout CT, Noorduin WL. Direct Environmental Lead Detection by Photoluminescent Perovskite Formation with Nanogram Sensitivity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20494-20500. [PMID: 38008908 PMCID: PMC10720378 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Although the global ban on leaded gasoline has markedly reduced lead poisoning, many other environmental sources of lead exposure, such as paint, pipes, mines, and recycling sites remain. Existing methods to identify these sources are either costly or unreliable. We report here a new, sensitive, and inexpensive lead detection method that relies on the formation of a perovskite semiconductor. The method only requires spraying the material of interest with methylammonium bromide and observing whether photoluminesence occurs under UV light to indicate the presence of lead. The method detects as little as 1.0 ng/mm2 of lead by the naked eye and 50 pg/mm2 using a digital photo camera. We exposed more than 50 different materials to our reagent and found no false negatives or false positives. The method readily detects lead in soil, paint, glazing, cables, glass, plastics, and dust and could be widely used for testing the environment and preventing lead poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Helmbrecht
- AMOLF, Science Park 104, Amsterdam 1098 XG, The Netherlands
- Lumetallix
B.V, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Willem L. Noorduin
- AMOLF, Science Park 104, Amsterdam 1098 XG, The Netherlands
- Van
‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands
- Lumetallix
B.V, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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8
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Verscheure E, Stierum R, Schlünssen V, Lund Würtz AM, Vanneste D, Kogevinas M, Harding BN, Broberg K, Zienolddiny-Narui S, Erdem JS, Das MK, Makris KC, Konstantinou C, Andrianou X, Dekkers S, Morris L, Pronk A, Godderis L, Ghosh M. Characterization of the internal working-life exposome using minimally and non-invasive sampling methods - a narrative review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117001. [PMID: 37683788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
During recent years, we are moving away from the 'one exposure, one disease'-approach in occupational settings and towards a more comprehensive approach, taking into account the totality of exposures during a life course by using an exposome approach. Taking an exposome approach however is accompanied by many challenges, one of which, for example, relates to the collection of biological samples. Methods used for sample collection in occupational exposome studies should ideally be minimally invasive, while at the same time sensitive, and enable meaningful repeated sampling in a large population and over a longer time period. This might be hampered in specific situations e.g., people working in remote areas, during pandemics or with flexible work hours. In these situations, using self-sampling techniques might offer a solution. Therefore, our aim was to identify existing self-sampling techniques and to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in an occupational exposome context by conducting a literature review. We here present an overview of current self-sampling methodologies used to characterize the internal exposome. In addition, the use of different biological matrices was evaluated and subdivided based on their level of invasiveness and applicability in an occupational exposome context. In conclusion, this review and the overview of self-sampling techniques presented herein can serve as a guide in the design of future (occupational) exposome studies while circumventing sample collection challenges associated with exposome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Verscheure
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Stierum
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Research unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette Lund Würtz
- Department of Public Health, Research unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dorian Vanneste
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Program, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara N Harding
- Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Program, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Mrinal K Das
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Konstantinos C Makris
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Corina Konstantinou
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Xanthi Andrianou
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Susan Dekkers
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anjoeka Pronk
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Idewe, External Service for Prevention and Protection at work, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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9
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Kayembe-Kitenge T, Nkulu CBL, Musanzayi SM, Kasole TL, Ngombe LK, Obadia PM, Van Brusselen D, Mukoma DKW, Musambo TM, Mulangu AM, Banza PN, Katoto PDMC, Smolders E, Nemery B, Nawrot T. Transplacental transfer of cobalt: Evidence from a study of mothers and their neonates in the African Copperbelt. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023; 80:127294. [PMID: 37677922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfer of the trace metal cobalt (Co) from mother to foetus has not been documented in populations with high environmental exposure to Co, as is the case in the African Copperbelt mining region. We analysed data obtained from 246 mother-infant pairs included (at delivery) in a previously published case-control study on birth defects, done in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) between March 1, 2013, and Feb 28, 2015. METHODS Co was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in maternal blood, maternal urine, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue, as available. RESULTS The Co concentrations [geometric mean (GM) with interquartile range (IQR)] in maternal blood (GM 1.77 µg/L, IQR 1.07-2.93) and urine (GM 7.42 µg/g creatinine, IQR 4.41-11.0) were highly correlated (Spearman r = 0.71, n = 166; p < 0.001) and considerably higher than reference values determined for general populations elsewhere in the world. The concentrations of Co in umbilical cord blood (GM 2.41 µg/L) were higher (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001) than in maternal blood (GM 1.37 µg/L), with a correlation between both values (Spearman r = 0.34; n = 127, p < 0.001). Co concentrations in placental tissue (geometric mean 0.02 µg/g wet weight) correlated with concentrations in maternal blood (Spearman r = 0.50, n = 86, p < 0.001) and in neonatal blood (Spearman r = 0.23, n = 83, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION This first study of maternal and neonatal Co concentrations in the African Copperbelt provides strong evidence of a high transfer of Co from mother to foetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Kayembe-Kitenge
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium; Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Toni Lubala Kasole
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Leon Kabamba Ngombe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Kamina, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Paul Musa Obadia
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daan Van Brusselen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of (Tropical) Paediatrics, ZAS Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Daniel Kyanika Wa Mukoma
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Taty Muta Musambo
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Patient Nkulu Banza
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - P D M C Katoto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Erik Smolders
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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10
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Balasha AM, Peša I. “They polluted our cropfields and our rivers, they killed us”: Farmers’ complaints about mining pollution in the Katangese Copperbelt. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14995. [PMID: 37064464 PMCID: PMC10102406 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The adverse impacts of mining industries on human health, local biodiversity, and food security are well-documented in the Katangese Copperbelt. However, farmers' perceptions of pollution and their struggles to obtain compensation for the externalities of mining industries are little addressed in scientific and public debates. Drawing on interviews with smallholder farmers, local civil society archives, oral histories, and analysis of satellite images, this article presents a case of farmers of Mulungwishi Valley whose fields and waterways were polluted by mining effluents. While 25% of respondent farmers argued that they had noticed pollution from the beginning of the 2000s, testimonies from civil society, customary authorities, and farmers concurred that the phenomenon has increased since 2010. Particularly between 2013 and 2014, the death of fish in the Mulungwishi River, the coloration of the water, the spread of mining effluents across the valley, and crop failure raised concerns and despair among farmers. Remarkable changes in land cover and use were noticeable. Since a joint impact assessment in 2014 by la Générale des Carrières et des Mines' (Gécamines) experts and farmers, civil society unsuccessfully continued a struggle to obtain compensation for about 2570 farmers affected by pollution. Despite an absolute silence of the polluter, 88% of these farmers insisted on the depollution of the valley and were willing to accept, if it was offered, financial compensation of $US 2820 per farmer. The decade-long persistence of farmers in asserting these requests debunks the view of farmers as passive or not concerned about environmental pollution. This article will be helpful for stakeholders (victims and polluters) to find common ground when resolving this environmental issue that has resulted in socio-economic difficulties beyond the valley.
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Yuan X, Liang F, Zhu J, Huang K, Dai L, Li X, Wang Y, Li Q, Lu X, Huang J, Liao L, Liu Y, Gu D, Liu H, Liu F. Maternal Exposure to PM 2.5 and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects in 1.4 Million Births: A Nationwide Surveillance-Based Study. Circulation 2023; 147:565-574. [PMID: 36780386 PMCID: PMC9988362 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.122.061245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence remains limited about the association of maternal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm [PM2.5]) with fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs) in highly polluted regions, and few studies have focused on preconception exposure. METHODS Using a nationwide surveillance-based case-control design in China, we examined the association between maternal exposure to PM2.5 during periconception (defined as 3 months before conception until 3 months into pregnancy) and risk of CHD in offspring. The study included 1 434 998 births involving 7335 CHDs from 2014 through 2017 on the basis of the National Population-Based Birth Defects Surveillance System, covering 30 provinces, municipalities, or municipal districts in China. We assigned maternal PM2.5 exposure during the periconception period to each participant using satellite-based PM2.5 concentrations at 1-km spatial resolution. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to calculate the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI for CHDs in offspring associated with maternal PM2.5 exposure, and the exposure-response association was investigated using restricted cubic spline analysis. Subgroup or sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify factors that may modify the association. RESULTS The average maternal exposure to PM2.5 levels across all participants was 56.51 μg/m3 (range, 10.95 to 182.13 μg/m3). For each 10 μg/m³ increase in maternal PM2.5 exposure, the risk of CHDs in offspring was increased by 2% (odds ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.00 to 1.05]), and septal defect was the most influenced subtype (odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.08]). The effect of PM2.5 on CHD risk was more pronounced during the preconception period. Mothers <35 years of age, those living in northern China, and those living in low-income areas were more susceptible to PM2.5 exposure than their counterparts (all P<0.05). PM2.5 exposure showed a linear association with total CHDs or specific CHD types. CONCLUSIONS High maternal PM2.5 exposure, especially during the preconception period, increases risk of certain types of CHD in offspring. These findings are useful for CHD prevention and highlight the public health benefits of improving air quality in China and other highly polluted regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Yuan
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance
of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Fengchao Liang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Health and
Precision Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055,
China
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern
University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance
of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Keyong Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center
for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union
Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Li Dai
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance
of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance
of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Yanping Wang
- National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance
of China, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
Sichuan 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan
610041, China
| | - Qi Li
- National Center for Birth Defects Monitoring of China, West
China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041,
China
| | - Xiangfeng Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center
for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union
Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center
for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union
Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Lihui Liao
- Department of Pediatric Neurology Nursing, West China
Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins
School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dongfeng Gu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Health and
Precision Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055,
China
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern
University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center
for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union
Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and
Technology, Shenzhen 510085, China
| | - Hanmin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan
610041, China
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University
Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Sichuan Birth Defects Clinical Research Center, West China
Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of
Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangchao Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center
for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union
Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
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Panella C, De Putter T. The invisible lives of cobalt miners and green traceability discourses. ANTHROPOLOGY TODAY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1467-8322.12753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Landrigan P, Bose-O'Reilly S, Elbel J, Nordberg G, Lucchini R, Bartrem C, Grandjean P, Mergler D, Moyo D, Nemery B, von Braun M, Nowak D. Reducing disease and death from Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) - the urgent need for responsible mining in the context of growing global demand for minerals and metals for climate change mitigation. Environ Health 2022; 21:78. [PMID: 36028832 PMCID: PMC9412790 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00877-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) takes place under extreme conditions with a lack of occupational health and safety. As the demand for metals is increasing due in part to their extensive use in 'green technologies' for climate change mitigation, the negative environmental and occupational consequences of mining practices are disproportionately felt in low- and middle-income countries. The Collegium Ramazzini statement on ASM presents updated information on its neglected health hazards that include multiple toxic hazards, most notably mercury, lead, cyanide, arsenic, cadmium, and cobalt, as well as physical hazards, most notably airborne dust and noise, and the high risk of infectious diseases. These hazards affect both miners and mining communities as working and living spaces are rarely separated. The impact on children and women is often severe, including hazardous exposures during the child-bearing age and pregnancies, and the risk of child labor. We suggest strategies for the mitigation of these hazards and classify those according to primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Further, we identify knowledge gaps and issue recommendations for international, national, and local governments, metal purchasers, and employers are given. With this statement, the Collegium Ramazzini calls for the extension of efforts to minimize all hazards that confront ASM miners and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Landrigan
- Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good, Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Boston, USA.
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco City, Monaco.
| | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johanna Elbel
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gunnar Nordberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Roberto Lucchini
- Institute of Occupational Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Casey Bartrem
- TerraGraphics International Foundation, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Donna Mergler
- Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le bien-être, la santé, la société et l'environnement (Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Wellbeing, Society and Environment, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dingani Moyo
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Occupational Health Division, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Margrit von Braun
- TerraGraphics International Foundation, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
- Environmental Science Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Maternal proximity to mountain-top removal mining and birth defects in Appalachian Kentucky, 1997–2003. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272998. [PMID: 35951600 PMCID: PMC9371306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Extraction of coal through mountaintop removal mining (MTR) alters many dimensions of the landscape. Explosive blasts, exposed rock, and coal washing have the potential to pollute air and water. Previous research suggests that infants born to mothers living in areas with MTR have a higher prevalence of birth defects. In this cross-sectional study, we further examine the relationship between MTR activity and several types of birth defects. Maternal exposure to MTR was assessed using remote sensing data from Skytruth, which captures MTR activity in the Central Appalachian region of the United States. Active MTR area was quantified within a five-kilometer buffer surrounding geocoded maternal address captured on birth records for live births to Appalachian Kentucky mothers between 1997 and 2003 (N = 95,581). We assigned high, medium, and low exposure based on the tertile of total MTR area within 5-km, and births with no MTR within this buffer were assigned zero exposure. The presence or absence of a birth defect grouped into six major organ systems was identified using birth records alone. Finally, we applied conditional multiple imputation for variables with missing values before conducting separate multivariable log-binomial regression models for each birth defect group. Prevalence ratio (PR) estimates were adjusted for individual level covariates from birth records. The prevalence of gastro-intestinal defects was significantly higher in birth records with high and low active MTR exposure compared to records with no exposure. (High exposure: PR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.14–3.47; low exposure PR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.06–3.31). This study supports some of the existing findings of previous ecological studies. Research addressing the relationship between gastro-intestinal birth defects and MTR coal mining is warranted but should carefully consider temporal dimensions of exposure.
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Landscape Analysis of Cobalt Mining Activities from 2009 to 2021 Using Very High Resolution Satellite Data (Democratic Republic of the Congo). SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14159545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The cobalt mining sector is well positioned to be a key contributor in determining the success of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Despite the important contribution to the DRC’s economy, the rapid expansion of mining operations has resulted in major social, health, and environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the cumulative impact of mining activities on the landscape of a prominent cobalt mining area in the DRC. To achieve this, an object-based method, employing a support vector machine (SVM) classifier, was used to map land cover across the city of Kolwezi and the surrounding mining areas, where long-term mining activity has dramatically altered the landscape. The research used very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery (2009, 2014, 2019, 2021) to map the spatial distribution of land cover and land cover change, as well as analyse the spatial relationship between land cover classes and visually identified mine features, from 2009 to 2021. Results from the object-based SVM land cover classification produced an overall accuracy of 85.2–90.4% across the time series. Between 2009 and 2021, land cover change accounted to: rooftops increasing by 147.2% (+7.7 km2); impervious surface increasing by 104.7% (+3.35 km2); bare land increasing by 85.4% (+33.81 km2); exposed rock increasing by 56.2% (+27.46 km2); trees decreasing by 4.5% (−0.34 km2); shrub decreasing by 38.4% (−26.04 km2); grass and cultivated land decreasing by 27.1% (−45.65 km2); and water decreasing by 34.6% (−3.28 km2). The co-location of key land cover classes and visually identified mine features exposed areas of potential environmental pollution, with 91.6% of identified water situated within a 1 km radius of a mine feature, and vulnerable populations, with 71.6% of built-up areas (rooftop and impervious surface class combined) situated within a 1 km radius of a mine feature. Assessing land cover patterns over time and the interplay between mine features and the landscape structure allowed the study to amplify the findings of localised on-the-ground research, presenting an alternative viewpoint to quantify the true scale and impact of cobalt mining in the DRC. Filling geospatial data gaps and examining the present and past trends in cobalt mining is critical for informing and managing the sustainable growth and development of the DRC’s mining sector.
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Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in copper mine tailing soils of Kitwe and Mufulira, Zambia, for reclamation prospects. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11283. [PMID: 35787645 PMCID: PMC9253116 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15458-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the level of heavy metal contamination coupled with the assessment of environmental and human risks associated with mine waste dumpsites is an important step to initiating efficient measures for mine wasteland restoration, stabilization, and bioremediation. In the present study, concentration of the heavy metals; Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) in soil from mine waste dumpsites around Kitwe (Sites: TD25 and TD26) and Mufulira (Site: TD10), Zambia, was assessed to determine the level of contamination, ecological risks, and progress made in reclamation. The mine waste dumpsites in the two towns are located in the vicinity of residential areas. Therefore, there is need to provide information for optimization of protocols for post-mining landscape in Zambia and elsewhere to limit soil, river, and groundwater contamination and to accelerate the restoration process . Mean values for soil pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter varied between 5.9-8.4, 2534.8-538.6 μS/cm, and 0.90-2.75%, respectively. The mean concentrations of heavy metals of TD25, TD26, and TD10 decreased in order of Fe > Cu > Co > Mn > Pb > Zn across all sites. However, the order of overall degree of heavy metal contamination computed using control soil as a baseline in TD25, TD26, and TD10 was Cu > Co > Fe > Pb > Mn > Zn. The pollution load index was 0.355 at TD25, 0.329 at TD26, and 0.189 at TD10, indicating high soil pollution at TD25 and TD26. The Potential Ecological Risk Index for all heavy metals tested at TD25, TD26, and TD10 showed low ecological risk in the vicinity of the studied dumpsites. Furthermore, the present study also showed that the polluted soils around smelter sites and mine waste dumpsites are susceptible to dispersion by wind and water. Additionally, results from TD10 revealed that the initiated remediation of the tailings dam was somewhat successful. Finally, this study provided an updated status regarding the accumulation of heavy metals in mine waste dumpsites of Kitwe and Mufulira, Zambia and baseline information necessary to enhance post-mining landscape reclamation.
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Tindula G, Mukherjee SK, Ekramullah SM, Arman DM, Biswas SK, Islam J, Obrycki JF, Christiani DC, Liang L, Warf BC, Mazumdar M. Parental metal exposures as potential risk factors for spina bifida in Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106800. [PMID: 34358915 PMCID: PMC9008873 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects are a pressing public health concern despite advances in prevention from folic acid-based strategies. Numerous chemicals, in particular arsenic, have been associated with neural tube defects in animal models and could influence risk in humans. OBJECTIVES We investigated the relationship between parental exposure to arsenic and 17 metals and risk of neural tube defects (myelomeningocele and meningocele) in a case control study in Bangladesh. METHODS Exposure assessment included analysis of maternal and paternal toenail samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 278 participants (155 cases and 123 controls) with data collected from 2016 to 2020 were included in the analysis. RESULTS In the paternal models, a one-unit increase in the natural logarithm of paternal toenail arsenic was associated with a 74% (odds ratio: 1.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-2.42) greater odds of having a child with spina bifida, after adjusting for relevant covariates. Additionally, paternal exposure to aluminum, cobalt, chromium, iron, selenium, and vanadium was associated with increased odds of having a child with spina bifida in the adjusted models. In the maternal models, a one-unit increase in the natural logarithm of maternal toenail selenium and zinc levels was related to a 382% greater (odds ratio: 4.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-17.60) and 89% lower (odds ratio: 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.42) odds of having a child with spina bifida in the adjusted models, respectively. Results did not suggest an interaction between parental toenail metals and maternal serum folate. DISCUSSION Parental toenail levels of numerous metals were associated with increased risk of spina bifida in Bangladeshi infants. Paternal arsenic exposure was positively associated with neural tube defects in children and is of particular concern given the widespread arsenic poisoning of groundwater resources in Bangladesh and the lack of nutritional interventions aimed to mitigate paternal arsenic exposure. The findings add to the growing body of literature of the impact of metals, especially paternal environmental factors, on child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Tindula
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sudipta Kumer Mukherjee
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Sheikh Muhammad Ekramullah
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - D M Arman
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Subrata Kumar Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Joynul Islam
- Department of Clinical Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - John F Obrycki
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David C Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Liming Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Benjamin C Warf
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maitreyi Mazumdar
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States.
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Human biomonitoring in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): A systematic review. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Jiang W, Yao G, Jing X, Liu X, Liu D, Zhou Z. Effects of Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ on enantioselective degradation behavior of α-cypermethrin in soils and their combined effect on activities of soil enzymes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:47099-47106. [PMID: 33884551 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13929-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals may coexist with pesticides in farmland through wastewater irrigation, application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, or unappropriated waste disposal. Heavy metals are toxic to soil microorganism, which may influence the environmental behavior of pesticides subsequently. In this study, the influence of Cd2+ and Pb2+ on the degradation of α-cypermethrin and its metabolites, 3-phenoxphenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and 3-(2',2'-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (DCCA), were investigated through soil incubation experiment. It was found heavy metals like Cd2+ and Pb2+ will inhibit the degradation of α-cypermethrin, especially at high concentrations. Pb2+ has a stronger inhibitory effect on the degradation of α-cypermethrin than Cd2+ in the same concentration. With the presence of 10 mg/kg Pb2+, the half-life of α-cypermethrin increased from 41.1 to 99.9 days, even the half-life was 129.3 days with 50 mg/kg of Pb2+. Besides, heavy metals influenced the chiral selective degradation of α-cypermethrin. The enantiomer fraction was near 0.5 when 10 mg/kg of heavy metals existed. Furthermore, the adverse effects of heavy metals on soil urease, catalase, and sucrase activity were assayed. In tested concentrations (10 and 50 mg kg-1), the heavy metals result in strong inhibition of the activity of the enzymes present on soil, jeopardizing the biodegradation by the microbiome and which may inhibit the degradation of α-cypermethrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Jiang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojun Yao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Jing
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueke Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghui Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.
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Azeez NA, Dash SS, Gummadi SN, Deepa VS. Nano-remediation of toxic heavy metal contamination: Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 266:129204. [PMID: 33310359 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The inexorable industrialization and modern agricultural practices to meet the needs of the increasing population have polluted the environment with toxic heavy metals such as Cr(VI), Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+. Among the hazardous heavy metal(loid)s contamination in agricultural soil, water, and air, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is the most virulent carcinogen. The metallurgic industries, tanneries, paint manufacturing, petroleum refineries are among various such human activities that discharge Cr(VI) into the environment. Various methods have been employed to reduce the concentration of Cr(VI) contamination with nano and bioremediation being the recent advancement to achieve recovery at low cost and higher efficiency. Bioremediation is the process of using biological sources such as plant extracts, microorganisms, and algae to reduce the heavy metals while the nano-remediation uses nanoparticles to adsorb heavy metals. In this review, we discuss the various activities that liberate Cr(VI). We then discuss the various conventional, nano-remediation, and bioremediation methods to keep Cr(VI) concentration in check and further discuss their efficiencies. We also discuss the mechanism of nano-remediation techniques for better insight into the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazeer Abdul Azeez
- Department of Biotechnology, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Erode, Tamil Nadu, 638401, India.
| | - Swati Sucharita Dash
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Applied and Industrial Microbiology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
| | - Sathyanarayana Naidu Gummadi
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Applied and Industrial Microbiology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
| | - Vijaykumar Sudarshana Deepa
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, 534 101, India.
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21
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Zhao S, Tian H, Luo L, Liu H, Wu B, Liu S, Bai X, Liu W, Liu X, Wu Y, Lin S, Guo Z, Lv Y, Xue Y. Temporal variation characteristics and source apportionment of metal elements in PM 2.5 in urban Beijing during 2018-2019. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 268:115856. [PMID: 33120143 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To explore high-resolution temporal variation characteristics of atmospheric metal elements concentration and more accurate pollution sources apportionment, online monitoring of metal elements in PM2.5 with 1-h time resolution was conducted in Beijing from August 22, 2018 to August 21, 2019. Concentration of 18 elements varied between detection limit (ranging from 0.1 to 100 ng/m3) and nearly 25 μg/m3. Si, Fe, Ca, K and Al represented major elements and accounted for 93.47% of total concentration during the study period. Compared with previous studies, airborne metal pollution in Beijing has improved significantly which thanks to strict comprehensive control measures under the Clean Air Action Plan since 2013. Almost all elements present higher concentrations on weekdays than weekends, while concentrations of elements associated with dust sources during holidays are higher than those in working days after the morning peak, and there is almost no concentration difference in the evening peak period. Soil and dust, vehicle non-exhaust emissions, biomass, industrial processes and fuel combustion were apportioned as main sources of atmospheric metal pollution, accounting for 63.6%, 18.4%, 16.8%, 1.0% and 0.18%, respectively. Furthermore, main occurrence season of metal pollution is judged by characteristic radar chart of varied metal elements proposed for the first time in this study, for example, fuel combustion type pollution mainly occurs in winter and spring. Results of 72-h backward trajectory analysis of air masses showed that, except for local emissions, atmospheric metal pollution in Beijing is also affected by regional transport from Inner Mongolia, Hebei, the Bohai Sea and Heilongjiang.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Zhao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Hezhong Tian
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Lining Luo
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Huanjia Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Bobo Wu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Shuhan Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Bai
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xiangyang Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yiming Wu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Shumin Lin
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Zhihui Guo
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yunqian Lv
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yifeng Xue
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation & Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Center for Atmospheric Environmental Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; National Engineering Research Center of Urban Environmental Pollution Control, Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Beijing, 100037, China
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22
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Kayembe-Kitenge T, Manyong'a Kadiamba V, de Luca C, Musa Obadia P, Kasamba Ilunga E, Mbuyi-Musanzayi S, Nawrot T, Lubaba Nkulu CB, Nemery B, Devriendt K. Agnathia otocephaly: A case from the Katanga Copperbelt. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1287-1291. [PMID: 32639113 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agnathia otocephaly is a rare craniofacial malformation complex characterised by absent/hypoplastic mandible, abnormally positioned ears meeting at level of neck. Besides mutations in two genes, PRRX1 and OTX2, a teratogenic cause has been suggested. A higher risk of congenital malformations has been associated with paternal work in mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's part of the Copperbelt. CASE We studied a female neonate with a clinical diagnosis of agnathia otocephaly, stillborn in Lubumbashi in 2019. The child's father had been working as an artisanal mineworker at the time of conception. RESULTS Genetic analysis did not reveal a causal mutation. The concentrations of cobalt, arsenic cadmium, and uranium in cord blood of the infant were much higher than those of normal neonates from a previous study. CONCLUSION In the absence of identified genetic causes, we hypothesize this case of agnathia otocephaly was related to an exogenous cause, possibly the father's mining-related job.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Kayembe-Kitenge
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, DR Congo.,Department of Internal Medicine University Hospital, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba-Nkulu, DR Congo.,Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vicky Manyong'a Kadiamba
- Department of Gynaeco-obstetrics, University Hospital, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, DR Congo
| | - Chiara de Luca
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul Musa Obadia
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, DR Congo.,Department of Internal Medicine University Hospital, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba-Nkulu, DR Congo.,Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, DR Congo.,Department of Internal Medicine University Hospital, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba-Nkulu, DR Congo
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koenraad Devriendt
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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