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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
environmental science
Pathways of human exposure to cobalt in Katanga, a mining area of the D.R. Congo
Science of the Total Environment, Volume 490, Year 2014
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Description
Human exposure biomonitoring in the African Copperbelt (Katanga, southern D.R. Congo) revealed elevated cobalt (Co) exposure in the general population. This study was designed to identify the Co exposure routes for the non-occupationally exposed population in that area. The concentration of Co was measured in environmental and urine samples collected in urban and rural communities close to metal mining and/or refining plants, villages near a lake receiving effluents from metal refining plants, and control rural areas without industrial pollution. Drinking water, uncooked food items (maize flour, washed vegetables, fish and meat), indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected at each location. A food questionnaire was used to estimate dietary Co intake for adults and children. Geometric mean urine-Co (U-Co) concentrations were 4.5-fold (adults) and 6.6-fold (children) higher in the polluted than in the control area, with U-Co values being intermediate in the lakeside area. Average Co concentrations in environmental samples differed 6-40-fold between these areas. U-Co was positively correlated with most environmental Co concentrations, the highest correlations being found with Co in drinking water, vegetables and fruit. Estimated average total Co intake for adults was 63 (±42) μg/day in the control area, 94 (±55) μg/day in the lakeside villages and 570 (±100) μg Co/day in the polluted areas. U-Co was significantly related to modelled Co intake (R2=0.48, adults and R2=0.47, children; log-log relationship). Consumption of legumes, i.e. sweet potato leaves (polluted) and cereals+fish (lakeside) was the largest contributor to Co intake in adults, whereas dust ingestion appeared to contribute substantially in children in the polluted area. In conclusion, dietary Co is the main source of Co exposure in the polluted area and Co is efficiently transferred from soil and water in the human food chain. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Authors & Co-Authors
Cheyns, Karlien
Belgium, Brussels
Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre
Belgium, Leuven
Ku Leuven
Banza Lubaba Nkulu, Célestin
Democratic Republic Congo, Lubumbashi
University of Lubumbashi
Ngombe, Léon Kabamba
Democratic Republic Congo, Lubumbashi
University of Lubumbashi
Congo, Kamina
Université de Kamina
Asosa, Jimmy Ngoy
Democratic Republic Congo, Lubumbashi
University of Lubumbashi
Haufroid, Vincent
Belgium, Louvain-la-neuve
Université Catholique de Louvain
De Putter, Thierry
Belgium, Tervuren
Royal Museum for Central Africa
Nawrot, Tim Steve
Belgium, Leuven
Ku Leuven
Belgium, Hasselt
Universiteit Hasselt
Kimpanga, Célestin Muleka
Congo, Kamina
Université de Kamina
Luboya, Oscar Numbi
Democratic Republic Congo, Lubumbashi
University of Lubumbashi
Ilunga, Benjamin Kabyla
Democratic Republic Congo, Lubumbashi
University of Lubumbashi
Nemery, Bénoit Ben
Belgium, Leuven
Ku Leuven
Smolders, Erik A.A.
Belgium, Leuven
Ku Leuven
Statistics
Citations: 100
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.014
ISSN:
00489697
e-ISSN:
18791026
Research Areas
Environmental
Food Security
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Congo