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

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  • Tony Kayembe-Kitenge

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Irene Kabange Umba

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Paul Musa Obadia

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Sebastien Mbuyi-Musanzayi

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Patient Nkulu Banza

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Patrick D. M. C. Katoto

    (Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Department of Internal Medicine and Prof Lurhuma Biomedical Research Laboratory, Mycobacterium Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Cyrille Katshiez Nawej

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Georges Kalenga Ilunga

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Vincent Haufroid

    (Louvain Center for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malemba-Nkulu, Malemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Tim Nawrot

    (Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Benoit Nemery

    (Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

Background: Thousands of artisanal workers are exposed to mineral dusts from various origins in the African Copperbelt. We determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and urinary metals among artisanal stone-crushers in Lubumbashi. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 48 male artisanal stone-crushers and 50 male taxi-drivers using a standardized questionnaire and spirometry. Concentrations of trace metals were measured by Inductively Coupled - Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in urine spot samples. Results: Urinary Co, Ni, As, and Se were higher in stone-crushers than in control participants. Wheezing was more prevalent ( p = 0.021) among stone-crushers (23%) than among taxi-drivers (6%). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the job of a stone-crusher was associated to wheezing (adjusted Odds Ratio 4.45, 95% Confidence Interval 1.09–18.24). Stone-crushers had higher values (% predicted) than taxi-drivers for Forced Vital Capacity (105.4 ± 15.9 vs. 92.2 ± 17.8, p = 0.048), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (104.4 ± 13.7 vs. 88.0 ± 19.6, p = 0.052), and Maximum Expiratory Flow at 25% of the Forced Vital Capacity (79.0.1 ± 20.7 vs. 55.7 ± 30.1, p = 0.078). Conclusion: Stone-crushers were more heavily exposed to mineral dust and various trace elements than taxi-drivers, and they had a fourfold increased risk of reporting wheezing, but they did not have evidence of more respiratory impairment than taxi-drivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Tony Kayembe-Kitenge & Irene Kabange Umba & Paul Musa Obadia & Sebastien Mbuyi-Musanzayi & Patient Nkulu Banza & Patrick D. M. C. Katoto & Cyrille Katshiez Nawej & Georges Kalenga Ilunga & Vincent Hau, 2020. "Respiratory Health and Urinary Trace Metals among Artisanal Stone-Crushers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lubumbashi, DR Congo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9384-:d:462636
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu & Lidia Casas & Vincent Haufroid & Thierry De Putter & Nelly D. Saenen & Tony Kayembe-Kitenge & Paul Musa Obadia & Daniel Kyanika Wa Mukoma & Jean-Marie Lunda Ilunga & Tim , 2018. "Sustainability of artisanal mining of cobalt in DR Congo," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(9), pages 495-504, September.
    2. Suresh Kumar Singh & G. R. Chowdhary & V. D. Chhangani & Gopal Purohit, 2007. "Quantification of Reduction in Forced Vital Capacity of Sand Stone Quarry Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-5, December.
    3. Marwan M. Draid & Khaled M. Ben-Elhaj & Ashraf M. Ali & Kendra K. Schmid & Shawn G. Gibbs, 2015. "Lung Function Impact from Working in the Pre-Revolution Libyan Quarry Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-7, May.
    4. Suresh Kumar Singh & G. R. Chowdhary & Gopal Purohit, 2006. "Assessment of Impact of High Particulate Concentration on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate of Lungs of Sand Stone Quarry Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-5, December.
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