Exposure to WASH-borne hazards: A scoping study on peri-urban Ger areas in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Uddin, Sayed Mohammad Nazim; Li, Zifu; Gaillard, JC; Tedoff, Pauley; Mang, Heinz‐Peter; Lapègue, Jean; Huba, Elisabeth Maria; Kummel, Olivia; Rheinstein, Eric

doi:10.1016/j.habitatint.2014.08.006

Cited by 24 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…During winter, residents use large amounts of coal as well as other materials, including trash, to fuel the stove, resulting in a smoky cocktail of lead-containing pollutants, both indoor and outdoor [12, 27, 28]. By all indications, childhood lead poisoning should be a common feature in the ger settlements where environmental management is often non-specific, non-existent or poorly enforced [18, 29–31]. In addition, cultural practices, widespread cottage industries and poverty are likely to further heighten the likelihood of increased lead exposure in the shanty outskirts of the urban areas [31, 32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental injustice and childhood lead exposure in peri-urban (ger) areas of Darkhan and Erdenet, Mongolia

et al. 2019

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BackgroundThe ger (“tent city”) areas in Mongolia are a product of rapid urbanization and transitional economic development combine with lack of institutional, administrative and financial capacity of governments to cope with the pace. These areas have become traps for inequities in social and environmental services and the associated effects on human health. Disparities in childhood lead exposure in such communities are largely unexplored.MethodsWe measured the concentrations of lead in blood of children, aged 4–7 years, in Erdenet (Orkhon Province) and Darkhan (Darkhan-Uul Province), the second and third largest cities in Mongolia. A survey instrument was used to gather information on influencing factors on lead exposure and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess a spectrum of behavioral problems among the children.ResultsThe mean blood lead level (BLL) of children in the two cities was found to be 3.8 ± 2.6 μg/dL (range: < 1.5–17.2 μg/dL) and 27.8% of the children had BLLs ≥5 μg/dL. Average BLL of children in Erdenet (a mining center) was significantly higher than that for children in Darkhan, and there was statistically significant difference between average BLL of children who live in ger district (4.2 ± 2.8 μg/dL) compared to those of children in housing units within the city (3.2 ± 2.4 μg/dL). In spite of the low values, BLLs was significantly associated with a number of effects on the spectrum of behavioral disorders, specifically with the scores for hyperactivity, conduct disorder and pro-social behavior.ConclusionsThis study shows that childhood lead poisoning is common especially in ger communities of the urban areas of Mongolia. It contributes evidence showing that BLL low as 3.8 μg/dL can selectively activate some effects from a spectrum of likely behavioral disorders in children.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental injustice and childhood lead exposure in peri-urban (ger) areas of Darkhan and Erdenet, Mongolia

et al. 2019

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“…Runoff from animal and human waste can Barnes et al 2017;Schelling et al 2016;Karthe et al 2017). Consuming water from an unimproved source can expose a person to many types of infectious agents and even toxic chemical contaminants (Uddin et al 2014;Prüss-Ustün et al 2014;Schelling et al 2016). And while there is insufficient information on overall Mongolian water quality and safety, particularly among rural communities, previous research among herding households found that almost 40% of those who drank from unimproved water sources did not treat the water prior to use (National Statistical Office of Mongolia 2015; Karthe et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, a large portion of the participants in this study reported boiling water prior to use. Unless the water is boiled or treated prior to use each time, stored drinking water can become contaminated at the homesite from domestic animals and vectors, unclean hands and dipping utensils, and the storage container itself (Prüss-Ustün et al 2014;Uddin et al 2014;Ecrumen et al 2017;Barnes et al 2018). Indiscriminate human and animal waste can be a major health hazard in rural Mongolia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Open defaecation is common in rural Mongolia, and a previous national survey found a quarter of households engage in this practice (National Statistical Office of Mongolia 2015). Researchers have found unimproved sanitation service utilization, including open defaecation, to be common in peri-urban settings, too (Uddin et al 2014). The country has a World Bank ranking of lower middle income, and the average life expectancy at birth in 2017 was 69 years (World Bank 2019).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Knowledge and practices surrounding zoonotic disease among Mongolian herding households

Barnes

Baasandavga²,

Davaasuren³

et al. 2020

Pastoralism

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The strong bond between herder and livestock was forged centuries ago in rural Mongolia and remains an element of national pride and a cornerstone to the economy. However, semi-nomadic herders frequently live at the edge of human health care, veterinary services, and municipal infrastructure like water and sanitation. This study examined zoonotic risk factors and disease perceptions among 150 rural herding households. Less than half of the participating households used an improved drinking water source (43.3%), and the majority of herding families did not use an improved sanitation service (68.5%). Almost half of the study population practise open defaecation (49.7%). Hand washing occurs after animal contact (78%) but not after defaecation/urination (76.6%). Domestic animal ownership and/or presence was reported at every household, and exposure risks varied by the gender of the household member. Most households had knowledge about zoonotic disease transmission (74%) but far less recognized the risk of reverse zoonoses, or human-to-animal disease transmission (53.3%). Few survey respondents believed that animal contact is a risk factor for diarrhoeal disease (8.7%). This study highlights zoonotic disease exposure risks from animal husbandry practices and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene access and behaviours among rural herding households. Zoonotic disease prevention among Mongolian herders should be implemented using a One Health framework to simultaneously address human, animal, and environmental health concerns of rural herding households.

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“…While some parts of Central Asia have experienced a recent depopulation, the region's overall population continues to grow. Improper municipal wastewater management in growing urban areas is another major pressure, leading to rising pollution levels in rivers and groundwater with regard to organic substances, nutrients and pathogens Darracq and Destouni 2005;Hofmann et al 2011;Malsy et al 2016), and posing sanitary risks for local settlers (Bosch et al 2007;Sorokovikova et al 2013;Uddin et al 2014). While in recent years, programs for the renewal of urban wastewater infrastructures have started in many parts of the region, decentral options still tend to be neglected, but would be viable solutions in regions with small settlements and low population densities (Khurelbaatar et al 2017).…”

Section: Water Quality and Aquatic/riparian Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Water in Central Asia: an integrated assessment for science-based management

et al. 2017

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Central Asia contains one of the largest internal drainage basins in the world, and its continental location results in limited availability of both surface and groundwater. Since the twentieth century, water resources of the region have been exploited beyond sustainable levels. From small Mongolian headwater streams to the mighty Aral Sea, surface waters have been partially desiccated. Demands from the agricultural, energy and raw material sectors as well as population growth have not only increased water abstractions, but also left a diverse and strong pollution footprint on rivers, lakes and groundwater bodies. Such changes in water quantity and quality have not only led to a degradation of aquatic and riparian ecosystems, but also they have placed the region's socioeconomic development at risk. Because of the complexity of Central Asia's water problems, integrated assessment and management approaches are required. Despite some shortcomings in practical implementation, the widespread adoption of the Integrated Water Resources Management and water-food-energy nexus approaches may be keys to a more sustainable future. This thematic issue aims to provide documentation of the current state of scientific knowledge, ranging from hydrological research to water quality investigations, and offers an assessment of ecosystems and the services provided by them. Reviews and case studies on different management options conclude the thematic issue by providing insights into field-tested solutions for the region's water challenges.

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Exposure to WASH-borne hazards: A scoping study on peri-urban Ger areas in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Cited by 24 publications

References 43 publications

Environmental injustice and childhood lead exposure in peri-urban (ger) areas of Darkhan and Erdenet, Mongolia

Environmental injustice and childhood lead exposure in peri-urban (ger) areas of Darkhan and Erdenet, Mongolia

Knowledge and practices surrounding zoonotic disease among Mongolian herding households

Water in Central Asia: an integrated assessment for science-based management

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