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Frazzoli C, Bocca B, Battistini B, Ruggieri F, Rovira J, Amadi CN, Offor SJ, Orisakwe OE. Rare Earth and Platinum Group Elements In Sub-Saharan Africa and Global Health: The Dark Side of the Burgeoning of Technology. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241271553. [PMID: 39282214 PMCID: PMC11393805 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241271553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Despite steady progress in the development and promotion of the circular economy as a model, an overwhelming proportion of technological devices discarded by the Global North still finds its way to the Global South, where technology-related environmental health problems start from the predation of resources and continue all the way to recycling and disposal. We reviewed literature on TCEs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), focussing on: the sources and levels of environmental pollution; the extent of human exposure to these substances; their role in the aetiology of human diseases; their effects on the environment. Our review shows that even minor and often neglected technology-critical elements (TCEs), like rare earth elements (REEs) and platinum group elements (PGEs), reveal the environmental damage and detrimental health effects caused by the massive mining of raw materials, exacerbated by improper disposal of e-waste (from dumping to improper recycling and open burning). We draw attention of local research on knowledge gaps such as workable safer methods for TCE recovery from end-of-life products, secondary materials and e-waste, environmental bioremediation and human detoxification. The technical and political shortcomings in the management of TCEs in SSA is all the more alarming against the background of unfavourable determinants of health and a resulting higher susceptibility to diseases, especially among children who work in mines and e-waste recycling sites or who reside in dumping sites.This paper demonstrates, for the first time, that the role of unjust North-South dynamics is evident even in the environmental levels of minor trace elements and that the premise underlying attempts to solve the problem of e-waste dumped in Africa through recycling and disposal technology is in fact misleading. The influx of foreign electrical and electronic equipments should be controlled and limited by clearly defining what is a 'useful' second-hand device and what is e-waste; risks arising from device components or processing by-products should be managed differently, and scientific uncertainty and One Health thinking should be incorporated in risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Frazzoli
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Battistini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Ruggieri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Cecilia Nwadiuto Amadi
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Samuel James Offor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
| | - Orish E Orisakwe
- African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
- Advanced Research Centre, European University of Lefke, Lefke, Northern Cyprus, Turkey
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Fankam Yamgai P, Pouokam GB, Saha Foudjo BU, Mazzanti F, Sando JT, Samuel C, Kamda Silapeux AG, Fokou E, Frazzoli C. Combined education course on nutrition, hand-washing and dental care in primary schools in Yaoundé, Cameroon. JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.29392/001c.33812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor nutritional habits and related hygiene and sanitation practices impair food and nutrition security, and increase the risk of foodborne diseases and related school absenteeism. While the WASH program promoted by the UNICEF boosts water, sanitation, and hygiene, only a few studies thus far encouraged healthy eating habits and safe and nutritious meals at school. This study aimed at combining education of schoolchildren on nutrition and hygiene (nutrition knowledge, attitudes, practices; food choices; nutrient sources; dental care; handwashing), and at boosting the engagement of parents and teachers in the promotion of nutrition-related behaviors conducive to health and well-being. Methods Four primary schools in different Yaoundé Urban Councils and 71 schoolchildren aged 7-12 years enrolled in the study. In this paper we report on the i) administrative and ethical clearance, ii) sensitisation and demonstration activities, iii) donation of WASH equipment, disposable materials for hand and teeth hygiene, toolkit policy, and guidebook, iv) baseline assessment by structured questionnaire, v) combined course (1 hour/week, 6 weeks), and vi) measured impact. Scores were analysed using paired z- and t-tests with SPSS 23.0 for windows. Results In the four schools, handwashing showed the best improvement. Older children benefited more from the whole course, while the improvement in younger children focused more on practices. The school that scored lowest at baseline obtained marked general improvement. Interestingly, general improvement in food choices coupled with persistent difficulty in recognising nutrient sources. Although sociocultural and socioeconomic parameters were not included in the questionnaire, these emerged as possible modifiers. Despite limited hours of direct training and limited resources invested, this short-term intervention significantly changed habits of children and the school community. Availability of hand and teeth hygiene materials facilitated and motivated the proactivity of the school community to boost good nutrition and hygiene practices sustainably. Conclusions Preventive medicine is a balance of awareness and affordability. Having this in mind, more coordinated efforts (WASH, food safety, food security) will enforce proper nutrition and hygiene of children at school in the different Cameroonian sociocultural and socioeconomic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philomina Fankam Yamgai
- Lab Food Safety, Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Guy B. Pouokam
- Lab Food Safety, Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Brice U. Saha Foudjo
- Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Lab Food Sciences and Metabolism, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
| | | | - Joel T. Sando
- Lab Food Safety, Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Chi Samuel
- Lab Food Safety, Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Aristide G. Kamda Silapeux
- Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Lab Food Sciences and Metabolism, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Social Economy and Family Management, University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroon
| | - Elie Fokou
- Noodles Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Lab Food Sciences and Metabolism, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Frazzoli C. The vulnerable and the susceptible: The weight of evidenza to stop exploiting activities generating toxic exposures in unprotected and deprived countries. J Glob Health 2021; 11:03046. [PMID: 33828831 PMCID: PMC8005273 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.03046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Frazzoli
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Frazzoli C, Mantovani A. Toxicological risk factors in the burden of malnutrition: The case of nutrition (and risk) transition in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111789. [PMID: 33011353 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Toxicant exposures may worsen the micronutrient status, especially during the womb-to-childhood development, impairing organism programming and increasing the risk for health disorders in adulthood. Growing evidence calls for an integrated risk analysis of the interplay of environment, behavior and lifestyle, where a) imbalanced diet and micronutrient deficiencies may increase the vulnerability to toxicants and alter body defence systems and b) intake of antinutrients and contaminants may increase nutritional requirements. Such scenarios are especially evident in communities undergoing a fast nutrition transition, such as in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Specific challenges of toxicological risk analysis in sub-Saharan Africa still need a thorough assessment, including: rapid changes of lifestyle and consumers' preferences; dumping of foods and consumer' products; risk management under weak or non-existent awareness, legislation enforcement and infrastructures. The significant and growing literature from Africa-led scientific research should be used to build quality-controlled data repositories supporting regulatory top-down actions. Meanwhile, bottom-up actions (eg consumer's empowerment) could exploit social and economic drivers toward a qualified African presence in the global and local markets. A science-based combination of top-down and bottom-up actions on preventable toxicological risk factors will contribute fighting the new forms of malnutrition and prevent multi-factorial diseases. Exposures to toxicants should be included in the integrated approach proposed by WHO to address the urgent health challenge of simultaneously reduce the risk or burden of both malnutrition (ie deficiency of one or more essential nutrients) and overweight, obesity, and diet-related NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Frazzoli
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy.
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy
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