![]() ![]() Our results conclusively echo the most critical challenges of toxic pollutants causing numerous health issues among the population. Urine samples taken only from the DRC contained trace metals with children’s samples being more contaminated than adult ones. Mean contents (μg/L) of Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and U were, respectively, 5,454.6, 2552.2, 138.7, 39.7, 2361.1, and 21.4 in the DRC and 108.9, 543.3, 0.3, 0.2, 1.5, and 0.5 in Zambia, being significantly higher and always far above World Health Organization maximum limits in the DRC. Concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd were higher in almost all food crops, although Cu was more in samples of Cucurbita maxima and Amaranthus hybridus. Food samples were analyzed by inductively coupled argon plasma/optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while water and urine samples were analyzed by inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Contamination of drinking water for domestic use and foods (cereals, roots and tubers, vegetables, and fruits) was determined by assessing the contents of trace metals including Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, As, U, Cd, and Cu and through a questionnaire for environmental damage. The area has large copper-cobalt deposits of which the extraction causes severe ecosystem damage due to pollution of water, food crops, and the ambient air negatively impacting population health. Zambia and the DR Congo are situated in the central African Copperbelt, which is part of the Lufilian geological structure arc stretching over from Kolwezi in Katanga Province in the DRC to Luanshya in Copperbelt Province in Zambia. Epidemiological studies have been undertaken and are ongoing to assess the human health impact of this pollution. This abundant biomonitoring data has been valuable to argue for improved enforcement of legislation to protect workers and citizens against the hazards posed by the mining activities in the area. Urinary biomonitoring studies among artisanal workers involved in mining cobalt, craftsmen working malachite, and workers processing gold ore revealed high to extremely high values of cobalt (largely exceeding the Biological Exposure Index of 15 µg/L), as well as other trace metals such as uranium, manganese, lead or mercury, depending on the type of jobs. Consumption of contaminated foodstuffs (maize, legumes, fish) and, especially among children, dust ingestion proved to be the main sources of exposure to cobalt (Cheyns et al., 2014). We then review and present selected results from surveys conducted in the mining area of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), where we documented high urinary levels of cobalt and other trace metals (arsenic, uranium) in people living close (< 3 km) to mining or smelting operations (Banza et al., 2009). These have included the statistical handling of multiple pollutants in the same subject, the problem of correctly adjusting for urinary flow in spot samples of urine, and the possible external contamination of samples when doing field surveys in challenging environments. Trophies are sorted according to chapters, in order in which they are unlocked (with small differences depending on the chosen gameplay mode and order).In this narrative account based on a keynote presentation on exposure biomonitoring of metals in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), we first briefly address practical issues that have arisen from our experience during the conduct of various surveys in LMIC. Each one contains a short commentary and screenshots to help you with the indvidual achievements. This chapter of the Breathedge guide includes a list of available achievements and trophies. ![]()
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