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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
environmental science
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Africa: A review of environmental levels
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Volume 21, No. 10, Year 2014
Notification
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Description
Several studies have shown an increase in PCB sources in Africa due to leakage and wrongly disposed transformers, continuing import of e-waste from countries of the North, shipwreck, and biomass burning. Techniques used in the recycling of waste such as melting and open burning to recover precious metals make PCBs contained in waste and other semivolatile organic substances prone to volatilization, which has resulted in an increase of PCB levels in air, blood, breast milk, and fish in several regions of Africa. Consequences for workers performing these activities without adequate measures of protection could result in adverse human health effects. Recent biodegradation studies in Africa have revealed the existence of exotic bacterial strains exhibiting unique and unusual PCB metabolic capability in terms of array of congeners that can serve as carbon source and diversity of congeners attacked, marking considerable progress in the development of effective bioremediation strategies for PCB-contaminated matrices such as sediments and soils in tropical regions. Action must be taken to find and deal with the major African sources of these pollutants. The precise sources of the PCB plume should be pinned down and used to complete the pollutant inventories of African countries. These nations must then be helped to safely dispose of the potentially dangerous chemicals. © 2013 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of United Kingdom.
Authors & Co-Authors
Gioia, Rosalinda
Spain, Barcelona
Csic - Instituto de Diagnostico Ambiental y Estudios Del Agua Idaea
United Kingdom, Lowestoft
Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Akindele, Abidemi James
Nigeria, Lagos
University of Lagos
Adebusoye, S. A.
Nigeria, Lagos
University of Lagos
Asante, Kwadwo Ansong
Japan, Matsuyama
Ehime University
Ghana, Accra
Csir - Water Research Institute Ghana
Tanabe, Shinsuke
Japan, Matsuyama
Ehime University
Buekens, Alfons G.
China, Hangzhou
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization
Sasco, Annie Jeanne
France, Bordeaux
Université de Bordeaux
Statistics
Citations: 70
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s11356-013-1739-1
ISSN:
09441344
e-ISSN:
16147499
Research Areas
Environmental
Noncommunicable Diseases