Pathways of human exposure to cobalt in Katanga, a mining area of the D.R. Congo

Assessment of soil metal distribution and environmental impact of mining in Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo)

“…However studies dedicated to metal mobility within individual environmental compartments (soils, mine tailings, smelting waste disposals) and describing the related environmental risks, are still relatively rare (Banza et al, 2009;Cheyns et al, 2014;Pourret et al, 2015). To assess human exposure to pollution in Katanga, which is a real public health concern due to the high population density in the contaminated area, Banza et al (2009) measured metal concentrations in urine of people living close to mines or smelting plants.…”

“…These elements are directly related to mineral paragenesis and mining activities in Katanga (Banza et al, 2009;Narendrula et al, 2012;Kaya Muyumba et al, 2015). Furthermore, they are known to be toxic and hazardous at high concentrations (Banza et al, 2009;Cheyns et al, 2014). Key et al, 2004).…”

“…It results in high human exposure to metals (especially to Co and U), as demonstrated by Banza et al (2009) and Elenge et al (2011). The metal exposure will certainly have short-, mid-and long-term effects on public health in the province (Cheyns et al, 2014). These effects could be worse if the basic environmental regulations are not implemented (Banza et al, 2009).…”

“…In order to study such effects, metals and metalloids have often been studied around mines and smelters (Ettler et al, 2005;Khalil et al, 2013;Kříbek et al, 2010;Tembo et al, 2006). A special attention has been paid to the the potential uptake of these elements by plants (Faucon et al, 2009;Lange et al, 2014) and on their bioaccessibility for humans (Banza et al, 2009;Cheyns et al 2014). …”

Trace Metal Contamination of Water in the Lubumbashi River Basin, Kafubu, Kimilolo and Kinkalabwamba Rivers in Lubumbashi City, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…In those regions, local air and soil environments, surface water and groundwater are deteriorated by factory emanations and dust from artisanal and industrial mining, tailings, discharge of untreated industrial and hospital effluents, discharge of mine water and mining wastewater into rivers, agricultural and urban runoff, and domestic wastewater [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”