Trésor Carsi Kuhangana
Environmental pollution in mining regions is a major, yet often underestimated, health problem, particularly in low-income countries. In areas like Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo), mining activities generate significant amounts of dust contaminated with toxic metals. This research has shown that people, especially children, are exposed to these pollutants through multiple pathways. One of the most significant is the involuntary ingestion of dust and soil, which occurs during everyday activities. The study revealed that residents of this region ingest far more dust than previously estimated—up to ten times the global average—especially during the dry season, when dust levels increase. Diet represents another crucial exposure pathway, but metals behave differently. The research found that exposure to cobalt (Co) was closely linked to mining activities. Dust, food, and urine from people living near mines showed higher cobalt levels. Associations and calculations demonstrate that dietary intake and dust ingestion are the main pathways explaining high Co exposure. However, lead (Pb) exposure does not follow the same pattern. Although lead is present in the environment, its levels in food have not been linked to mining areas, suggesting that other sources contribute significantly to dietary lead exposure. One major source of contamination identified is the artisanal production of cookware from recycled metals. This activity, often carried out in small workshops, exposes workers and their families, including children, to high levels of lead. The study showed that workers in these workshops have significantly higher blood and urine lead levels than people in less exposed occupations. Even more concerning, children living in these environments may be exposed to even higher levels of lead, even if they are not directly involved in the work. The risk doesn't stop with producers; it also affects consumers. This research has shown that handmade cookware can release lead and other metals into food during cooking, especially when preparing acidic foods. A crucial finding revealed that artisans often repair faulty pots and pans with pure lead, creating highly contaminated food when cooked in these pots and pans. Consequently, regular use of these pots and pans can significantly increase dietary exposure to lead, adding to other environmental sources of contamination. Despite these risks, handmade cookware is widely used because it is affordable, durable, and efficient. The study found that almost all households in rural areas and many households in cities use this type of cookware daily. However, both users and producers have very little awareness of the health risks associated with its use. This combination of widespread use, poverty, and a lack of knowledge creates a serious, yet preventable, public health problem. Overall, this research highlights that exposure to toxic metals in the Katanga region is multifactorial and interdependent: dust, diet, occupational activities, and daily practices. Reducing this exposure will require a comprehensive approach, including dust control, safer production methods for cookware, awareness campaigns, and affordable alternatives that protect both health and livelihoods.