Worrying Exposure to Trace Elements in the Population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Overview

Journal Int Arch Occup Environ Health

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2012 Jan 25

PMID 22270386

Citations 8

Authors

J Tuakuila

D Lison

A-C Lantin

F Mbuyi

G Deumer

V Haufroid

P Hoet

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background And Objectives: The particularly high rate of urbanization in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) is associated with environmental degradation. Outdoor and indoor air pollution, as well as water pollution and waste accumulation, are issues of major concern. However, little documented information exists on the nature and extent of this pollution. A biomonitoring study was conducted to document exposure to trace elements in a representative sample of the population in Kinshasa.

Methods: Fifteen trace elements were measured by ICP-MS, CV-AAS, or HG-AFS in spot urine samples from 220 individuals (50.5% women) aged 6-70 years living in the urban area and from 50 additional subjects from the rural area of Kinshasa. Data were compiled as geometric means and selected percentiles, expressed without (μg/L) or with creatinine adjustment (μg/g cr).

Results: Overall, living in urban Kinshasa was associated with elevated levels of several parameters in urine as compared to the population living in the rural area (Asi, Ba, Cd, Cr, and V) as well as compared to an urban population of the southeast of Congo (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn). Elevated levels were also found by comparison with the reference values in databases involving American, Canadian, French, or German populations.

Conclusions: This study provides the first biomonitoring database in the population of Kinshasa, revealing elevated levels for most urinary TE as compared to other databases. Toxicologically relevant elements such as Al, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg reach levels of public health concern.

Citing Articles

Reference intervals for cd, hg, Mn and Pb in the general children population (3-14 years) of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between June 2019 and June 2020.

Tuakashikila Y, Mata H, Kabamba M, Malumba A, Tuakuila J Arch Public Health. 2023; 81(1):40.

PMID: 36918930 PMC: 10015835. DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01054-x.

Heavy metals in children's blood from the rural region of Popokabaka, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study and spatial analysis.

Mbunga B, Gjengedal E, Bangelesa F, Langfjord M, Bosonkie M, Strand T Sci Rep. 2022; 12(1):18576.

PMID: 36329123 PMC: 9633830. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23332-4.

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in copper mine tailing soils of Kitwe and Mufulira, Zambia, for reclamation prospects.

Dusengemungu L, Mubemba B, Gwanama C Sci Rep. 2022; 12(1):11283.

PMID: 35787645 PMC: 9253116. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15458-2.

Respiratory Health and Urinary Trace Metals among Artisanal Stone-Crushers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lubumbashi, DR Congo.

Kayembe-Kitenge T, Kabange Umba I, Musa Obadia P, Mbuyi-Musanzayi S, Banza P, Katoto P Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(24).

PMID: 33334018 PMC: 7765357. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249384.

Concurrent exposure to heavy metals and cognition in school-age children in Congo-Kinshasa: A complex overdue research agenda.

Bora B, Ramos-Crawford A, Sikorskii A, Boivin M, Lez D, Mumba-Ngoyi D Brain Res Bull. 2018; 145:81-86.

PMID: 29944947 PMC: 6631038. DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.06.013.

References

. Inorganic and organic lead compounds. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 2006; 87:1-471. PMC: 4781642. View

Morand J, Ly F, Lightburn E, Mahe A . [Complications of cosmetic skin bleaching in Africa]. Med Trop (Mars). 2008; 67(6):627-34. View

. Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2007; (940):1-92, 1 p following 94. View

Melnick D, Navarro Y, McNeely J, Schmidt-Traub G, Sears R . The Millennium Project: the positive health implications of improved environmental sustainability. Lancet. 2005; 365(9460):723-5. PMC: 7123338. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17953-7. View

Caldwell K, Jones R, Verdon C, Jarrett J, Caudill S, Osterloh J . Levels of urinary total and speciated arsenic in the US population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2008; 19(1):59-68. DOI: 10.1038/jes.2008.32. View

Batariova A, Spevackova V, Benes B, cejchanova M, Smid J, cerna M . Blood and urine levels of Pb, Cd and Hg in the general population of the Czech Republic and proposed reference values. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2006; 209(4):359-66. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2006.02.005. View

Sun G, Williams P, Zhu Y, Deacon C, Carey A, Raab A . Survey of arsenic and its speciation in rice products such as breakfast cereals, rice crackers and Japanese rice condiments. Environ Int. 2008; 35(3):473-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2008.07.020. View

Meharg A, Lombi E, Williams P, Scheckel K, Feldmann J, Raab A . Speciation and localization of arsenic in white and brown rice grains. Environ Sci Technol. 2008; 42(4):1051-7. DOI: 10.1021/es702212p. View

Engler D . Mercury "bleaching" creams. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005; 52(6):1113-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.01.136. View

10.

Valkonen S, Aitio A . Analysis of aluminium in serum and urine for the biomonitoring of occupational exposure. Sci Total Environ. 1997; 199(1-2):103-10. DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(97)05485-5. View

11.

Banza C, Nawrot T, Haufroid V, Decree S, De Putter T, Smolders E . High human exposure to cobalt and other metals in Katanga, a mining area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Environ Res. 2009; 109(6):745-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2009.04.012. View

12.

Castano A, Sanchez-Rodriguez J, Canas A, Esteban M, Navarro C, Rodriguez-Garcia A . Mercury, lead and cadmium levels in the urine of 170 Spanish adults: a pilot human biomonitoring study. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2011; 215(2):191-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.09.001. View

13.

Satarug S, Garrett S, Sens M, Sens D . Cadmium, environmental exposure, and health outcomes. Environ Health Perspect. 2010; 118(2):182-90. PMC: 2831915. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0901234. View

14.

Cleland B, Tsuchiya A, Kalman D, Dills R, Burbacher T, White J . Arsenic exposure within the Korean community (United States) based on dietary behavior and arsenic levels in hair, urine, air, and water. Environ Health Perspect. 2009; 117(4):632-8. PMC: 2679609. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11827. View

15.

Haefliger P, Mathieu-Nolf M, Lociciro S, Ndiaye C, Coly M, Diouf A . Mass lead intoxication from informal used lead-acid battery recycling in dakar, senegal. Environ Health Perspect. 2009; 117(10):1535-40. PMC: 2790507. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0900696. View

16.

Heilier J, Buchet J, Haufroid V, Lison D . Comparison of atomic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods for the routine determination of urinary arsenic. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2005; 78(1):51-9. DOI: 10.1007/s00420-004-0562-x. View

17.

Rossbach B, Buchta M, Csanady G, Filser J, Hilla W, Windorfer K . Biological monitoring of welders exposed to aluminium. Toxicol Lett. 2005; 162(2-3):239-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2005.09.018. View

18.

Njoroge G, Njagi E, Orinda G, Sekadde-Kigondu C, Kayima J . Environmental and occupational exposure to lead. East Afr Med J. 2008; 85(6):284-91. DOI: 10.4314/eamj.v85i6.9626. View

19.

Goulle J, Mahieu L, Castermant J, Neveu N, Bonneau L, Laine G . Metal and metalloid multi-elementary ICP-MS validation in whole blood, plasma, urine and hair. Reference values. Forensic Sci Int. 2005; 153(1):39-44. DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.04.020. View

20.

Hays S, Aylward L, Gagne M, Nong A, Krishnan K . Biomonitoring equivalents for inorganic arsenic. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2010; 58(1):1-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2010.06.002. View