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.
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 aswater 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 asAl, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg reach levels of public health concern.
Authors: Bernd Rossbach; Mark Buchta; György A Csanády; Johannes G Filser; Wolfgang Hilla; Klaus Windorfer; Joachim Stork; Wolfgang Zschiesche; Olaf Gefeller; Annette Pfahlberg; Karl-Heinz Schaller; Ellen Egerer; Luis Carlos Escobar Pinzón; Stephan Letzel Journal: Toxicol Lett Date: 2005-11-08 Impact factor: 4.372
Authors: Andrew A Meharg; Enzo Lombi; Paul N Williams; Kirk G Scheckel; Joerg Feldmann; Andrea Raab; Yongguan Zhu; Rafiql Islam Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2008-02-15 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: Célestin Lubaba Nkulu Banza; Tim S Nawrot; Vincent Haufroid; Sophie Decrée; Thierry De Putter; Erik Smolders; Benjamin Ilunga Kabyla; Oscar Numbi Luboya; Augustin Ndala Ilunga; Alain Mwanza Mutombo; Benoit Nemery Journal: Environ Res Date: 2009-05-31 Impact factor: 6.498
Authors: Bill Cleland; Ami Tsuchiya; David A Kalman; Russell Dills; Thomas M Burbacher; Jim W White; Elaine M Faustman; Koenraad Mariën Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-12-08 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Béatrice Koba Bora; Ana Luiza Ramos-Crawford; Alla Sikorskii; Michael Joseph Boivin; Didier Malamba Lez; Dieudonné Mumba-Ngoyi; Abdon Mukalay Wa Mukalay; Daniel Okitundu-Luwa; Desiré Tshala-Katumbay Journal: Brain Res Bull Date: 2018-06-23 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: G M-M Bumoko; N H Sadiki; A Rwatambuga; K P Kayembe; D L Okitundu; D Mumba Ngoyi; J-J T Muyembe; J-P Banea; M J Boivin; D Tshala-Katumbay Journal: J Neurol Sci Date: 2015-01-10 Impact factor: 3.181