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Zupunski L, Street R, Ostroumova E, Winde F, Sachs S, Geipel G, Nkosi V, Bouaoun L, Haman T, Schüz J, Mathee A. Environmental exposure to uranium in a population living in close proximity to gold mine tailings in South Africa. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023; 77:127141. [PMID: 36857995 PMCID: PMC10030373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gold mining activities in South Africa resulted in contamination of residential environment with uranium-rich wastes from mine tailings. Health of the people living around the mine tailings could be affected by uranium exposure due to its hazardous chemotoxic and radiological properties. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess i) uranium (U) concentrations in individual hair samples of children and adults living in close proximity to mine tailings in Northeast- Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, and ii) the association between U concentrations in hair and various factors, including zone of residence, socio-demographic and housing characteristics. Sampling sites were divided into three zones based on the distance between a dwelling and a cluster of mine tailings (zone 1: <= 500 m, zone 2: 2-3 km away, zone 3: 4-5 km away). U concentrations in hair samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To test the association between U concentrations and selected factors we used robust regression models with log-transformed U concentrations. RESULTS Among 128 subjects with available U measurements, 63 (49%) were children (ages 7-15 years) of which 38 were girls, the remaining 65 (51%) were adult females. Mean (median) U concentration in hair samples was 143 (92) µg/kg. In the mutually adjusted analyses, only an inverse association between age and U concentration in hair remained statistically significant, with geometric mean in children being 2.1 times higher compared to adults (P < 0.001). There was no evidence of an association between zones and U concentration (P = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS There was little evidence of association between U concentration in hair and distance from the mine tailings within the 5 km range, but overall concentrations were elevated compared to general population samples in other parts of the world. Children had statistically significantly higher geometric mean of uranium concentration in hair compared to adults. The results are important for improvement of mining waste policies and implementation of health monitoring and protective measures in populations at risk. ARTICLE CATEGORY Research Article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ljubica Zupunski
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, WHO, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, Lyon 69372, France
| | - Renée Street
- South African Medical Research Council, Environment and Health Research Unit, Health Clinic Building, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Evgenia Ostroumova
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, WHO, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, Lyon 69372, France
| | - Frank Winde
- North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, Research Unit Environmental Science and Management, Vanderbijlpark Campus, North-West University, P.O. Box 1174, Vanderbijlpark 1900, South Africa; Wismut GmbH, Engineering and Radiation Protection, Jagdschänkenstraße 29, Chemnitz 09117, Germany
| | - Susanne Sachs
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany
| | - Gerhard Geipel
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany
| | - Vusumuzi Nkosi
- South African Medical Research Council, Environment and Health Research Unit, Health Clinic Building, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Liacine Bouaoun
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, WHO, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, Lyon 69372, France
| | - Tanya Haman
- South African Medical Research Council, Environment and Health Research Unit, Health Clinic Building, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Joachim Schüz
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, WHO, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, Lyon 69372, France
| | - Angela Mathee
- South African Medical Research Council, Environment and Health Research Unit, Health Clinic Building, University of Johannesburg, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa; Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Health Clinic Building, 55 Beit Street, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa.
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Welman-Purchase MD, Hansen RN. Cyanide within gold mine waste of the free state goldfields: A geochemical modelling approach. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120825. [PMID: 36503011 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cyanide, which remains the preferred chemical used in the gold extraction process, has the potential to be disposed of on goldmine tailings. South Africa has nine goldfields, producing approximately a third of the world's gold to date. The cyanide interacts with metals in the tailings environment, where Prussian blue [Formula: see text] and Turnbull's blue [Formula: see text] are among these. In previous studies, Prussian blue or Turnbull's blue have been found as a blue substance in tailings material. PHREEQC modelling software was used adding the mineralogical data from 16 tailings samples from the Free State goldfield. The results revealed that Prussian blue prefers to precipitate in an oxic environment and Turnbull's blue prefers an anoxic environment. It was also determined that their precipitation is affected by the availability of iron in solution. As soon as all of the iron is consumed in solution, all excess cyanide produces HCN, which is a free cyanide which volatilizes. Contrarily, Prussian and Turnbull's blue are CNSAD compounds, only dissociating in extremely low pH condition in the absence of photolysis. Ultimately, these iron-cyanide compounds are able to immobilize cyanide, preventing seepage into environments such as the ground water. This along with an anoxic environment such as mine void, keeping the pH high, may be a possible solution for cyanide remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert N Hansen
- University of the Free State, Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Cortés S, Zúñiga-Venegas L, Pancetti F, Covarrubias A, Ramírez-Santana M, Adaros H, Muñoz L. A Positive Relationship between Exposure to Heavy Metals and Development of Chronic Diseases: A Case Study from Chile. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041419. [PMID: 33546415 PMCID: PMC7913508 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chile is a mining country, where waste mining is frequently found in the vicinity of inhabited areas. To explore the association between metal exposure and alterations in glucose metabolism, inflammatory status, and oxidative stress in individuals with chronic exposure to metals, a cross-sectional study was performed with 25 volunteers, between 45–65 years old. Inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure urinary levels of total arsenic (As) and its metabolites, cooper, nickel, chromium, and lead. Lipid profile, glucose, and insulin were measured in blood, as well as inflammation (interleukin-6, IL-6) and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2′deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) markers. Increased levels of Low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoproteins, cholesterol and 8-OHdG, and the index for homeostasis model assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were observed in 72%, 60%, and 56% of the volunteers, respectively. Blood-glucose levels were correlated with dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) (R2 = 0.47, p = 0.019), inorganic As (Asi) (R2 = 0.40, p = 0.012), and Ni (R2 = 0.56; p = 0.044). The models with these compounds explained 72% of the glycemia variability (βDMA = −6.47; βAsi = 6.68; βNi = 6.87). Ni showed a significantly influence on IL-6 variability (β = 0.85: R2 = 0.36). Changes in glycemia could be related to exposure to low levels of Asi and Ni, representing risk factors for metabolic diseases. Body mass index would confuse the relation between IL-6 and Ni levels, probably due to known chronic inflammation present in obese people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cortés
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330077, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDIS), Santiago 8330077, Chile
- Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable (CEDEUS), Santiago 8330077, Chile
- Correspondence:
| | - Liliana Zúñiga-Venegas
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biomédicas (LIB), Departamento de Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3480005, Chile;
- Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3480005, Chile
| | - Floria Pancetti
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo No. 1281, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile; (F.P.); (A.C.)
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Algas y Otros Recursos Biológicos, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo No. 1281, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile
| | - Alejandra Covarrubias
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo No. 1281, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile; (F.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Muriel Ramírez-Santana
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile;
| | - Héctor Adaros
- Hospital Dr. Jerónimo Méndez, Chañaral, Chañaral 1490000, Chile;
| | - Luis Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Metrología Química, Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, Santiago 7600713, Chile;
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Middleton DRS, McCormack VA, Watts MJ, Schüz J. Environmental geochemistry and cancer: a pertinent global health problem requiring interdisciplinary collaboration. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:1047-1056. [PMID: 31054071 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Primary prevention is a key strategy to reducing the global burden of cancer, a disease responsible for ~ 9.6 million deaths per year and predicted to top 13 million by 2030. The role of environmental geochemistry in the aetiology of many cancers-as well as other non-communicable diseases-should not be understated, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where 70% of global cancer deaths occur and reliance on local geochemistry for drinking water and subsistence crops is still widespread. This article is an expansion of a series of presentations and discussions held at the 34th International Conference of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health in Livingstone, Zambia, on the value of effective collaborations between environmental geochemists and cancer epidemiologists. Key technical aspects of each field are presented, in addition to a case study of the extraordinarily high incidence rates of oesophageal cancer in the East African Rift Valley, which may have a geochemical contribution. The potential merit of veterinary studies for investigating common geochemical risk factors between human and animal disease is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R S Middleton
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon CEDEX 08, France.
| | - Valerie A McCormack
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Michael J Watts
- Inorganic Geochemistry, Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, UK
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
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Cancer, chemotherapy, and HIV: Living with cancer amidst comorbidity in a South African township. Soc Sci Med 2019; 237:112461. [PMID: 31394399 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, where cancer detection, intervention, and care are available for many citizens, cancer is poorly detected and understood among politically and economically marginalized communities in rural and urban centers. These trends are reflected in a history of systematic marginalization of such contexts from public resources, including education and health care, stemming from racism and wealth inequity. This article investigates how Black South Africans residing in Soweto, a township of Johannesburg, perceive and experience breast and prostate cancers amidst multiple, concurrent medical conditions. We used convenience sampling to recruit 80 study participants already enrolled in longitudinal studies of breast and prostate cancers at a tertiary hospital in Soweto between June and August 2017. This included 50 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 30 men diagnosed with prostate cancer; three-quarters of the sample had two or more comorbidities, including HIV, hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, and others. Many described sickness in terms of any physical ill-health that affected daily routines, but rarely was it associated exclusively with a specific disease. Men and women described more fear associated with cancer than HIV or hypertension-two of the most common diseases. We found that this may be in part a reflection of how people feared and demonized their cancer diagnoses, calling it "a demon!", and framing cancer through the trauma of aggressive treatments like chemotherapy ("the red devil!") and physical disfiguration from mastectomy. In contrast, men's prostate cancer treatments were often hormonal therapy and men associated cancer to a normal side effect of aging. Intervening in how people think about cancer may improve how people live well with the condition amidst other cascading social and health problems they face.
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Winde F, Geipel G, Espina C, Schüz J. Human exposure to uranium in South African gold mining areas using barber-based hair sampling. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219059. [PMID: 31247044 PMCID: PMC6597193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Uranium (U) measurements in water, soil, and food related to gold mining activities in populated areas in Gauteng Province, South Africa, suggest the possibility of exposure levels that may lead to adverse health consequences, including cancer. Theoretical considerations on pathways of human uptake of significant exposures are plausible, but few data on directly measured human exposure are available. A cross-sectional study was conducted using human measurements to compare U levels with other settings around the globe (based on literature review), to explore potential exposure variability within the province, and to test the feasibility of recruiting subjects partially coming from vulnerable and difficult-to-reach populations. Wards of potentially high (HE) and low exposure (LE) were identified. Composite hair samples representing the respective local populations were collected from regular customers of selected barber shops over a period of 1-2 months. A total of 70 U concentrations were determined in 27 composite samples from 1332 individuals. U concentrations ranged from 31 μg/kg to 2524 μg/kg, with an arithmetic mean of 192 μg/kg (standard deviation, 310 μg/kg) and a median of 122 μg/kg. Although HE wards collectively showed higher U levels than LE wards (184 vs 134 μg/kg), differences were smaller than expected. In conclusion, detected U levels were higher than those from most other surveys of the general public. The barber-based approach was an efficient hair collection approach. Composite hair samples are not recommended, due to technical challenges in measuring U, and individual hair samples are needed in follow-up studies to determine predictors of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Winde
- North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, Research Unit Environmental Science and Management, Mine Water Re-Search Group, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Gerhard Geipel
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute for Resource Ecology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carolina Espina
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Section of Environment and Radiation, Lyon, France
| | - Joachim Schüz
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Section of Environment and Radiation, Lyon, France
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Mbanga O, Ncube S, Tutu H, Chimuka L, Cukrowska E. Mercury accumulation and biotransportation in wetland biota affected by gold mining. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:186. [PMID: 30806796 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7329-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Phytoremediation is a cost-effective, eco-friendly technology for the removal of metals from polluted areas. In this study, six different plant species (Datura stramonium, Phragmites australis, Persicaria lapathifolia, Melilotus alba, Panicum coloratum, and Cyperus eragrostis) growing in a gold mine contaminated wetland were investigated as potential phytoremediators of mercury. The accumulation of total mercury and methylmercury in plant tissues was determined during the wet and dry seasons to establish the plants' variability in accumulation. The highest accumulation of total mercury was in the tissues of Phragmites australis with recorded concentrations of 806, 495, and 833 μg kg-1 in the roots, stem, and leaves, respectively, during the dry season. The lowest accumulation levels were recorded for Melilotus alba during both seasons. The highest amount of the methylmercury was found in Phragmites australis during the dry season with a value of 618 μg kg-1. The accumulation and biotransportation were not significantly different between the seasons for some plants. The results of this study indicated that plants growing in wetlands can be used for phytoremediation of mercury and suggest the choice of species for constructed wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odwa Mbanga
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Somandla Ncube
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Hlanganani Tutu
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Luke Chimuka
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Ewa Cukrowska
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa.
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The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa. GEOSCIENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences7040101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Synthesis of a novel silica-based macroporous HNA/SiO2-P adsorbent and its adsorption behavior for uranium from aqueous solutions. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-5141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Cortés S, Lagos LDCM, Burgos S, Adaros H, Ferreccio C. Urinary Metal Levels in a Chilean Community 31 Years After the Dumping of Mine Tailings. J Health Pollut 2016; 6:19-27. [PMID: 30524782 PMCID: PMC6236548 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-6-10.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 1938 and 1975, the city of Chañaral, located in the north of Chile, received 200 megatons of unregulated mining waste, which created an artificial beach 10 kilometers long and covering an area larger than 4 km2. In 1983, this deposit was classified as a serious case of marine pollution in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In 1989, dumping ceased due to a judicial order. Until now, the effects of this pollution on the population living around these mine tailings has been unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of exposure to metals by dust from mine tailings in Chañaral, a city located in the northern mining area of Chile. METHODS The level of urinary metals in a representative sample of adults from Chanaral was determined. RESULTS Urinary levels of total arsenic (44.6 μg/L), inorganic arsenic (17.0 μg/L) and nickel (2.8 μg/L) were higher than in other areas of Chile. Levels of copper (17.9 μg/L), mercury (1.6 μg/L) and lead (0.9 μg/L) exceeded international values. Of the total subjects, 67.5%, 30.4%, 29.4%, 16.9%, 13.2 and 9.3% presented with high levels of copper, nickel, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, mercury and lead, respectively. CONCLUSION Thirty-one years after suspension of the discharge of mining waste, the local population in this area remains exposed to metals from the mine tailings. Surveillance and remedial actions addressing the Chañaral mine tailings are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cortés
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Advanced Chronic Diseases (ACCDIS), Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
| | | | - Soledad Burgos
- School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Catterina Ferreccio
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Advanced Chronic Diseases (ACCDIS), Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
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