DR Congo
Duration
2023-2025
Lead institutions
KU Leuven
Université Catholique de Bukavu
Academic partners
PHILIPPE DE VLOO
PATRICK DE MARIE KATOTO CHIMUSA
Project status
Ongoing
Programme
SI
Total budget
69,997.40
Summary
Clinicians suspect an increased incidence of visible congenital birth defects in newborns in artisanal mining areas in South Kivu. This activity is not controlled by preventive health authorities and the artisanal miners do not have protective measures against trace elements exposure, nor do the families living around, which may lead to birth defects linked to trace element poisoning.
Many different metals, trace elements, and derivatives are found in South-Kivu and some of them are cited in the prenatal exposure and developmental defects in newborns, e.g. on the embryonic nervous system (methyl-mercurium, arse-nic, nickel, lead, lithium, manganese). Studies conducted in Katanga (South-East of the DRC) noted that the increase of congenital visible defects was as-sociated with abnormally high rates of the minerals found in the urine of the general population living near mining areas.
The poverty of the soil for agricultural activity in the mining areas, malnutrition, and the presence of armed groups around mining areas in Kivu makes it diffi-cult to apply preventive measures against diseases. Unfortunately, the number and the types of defects are not well known in South-Kivu, which makes it difficult to establish this presumed association, and to implement preventive measures for the population in place (miners, children and women living around).
We aim to raise awareness among the population and decision-makers on the risk incurred by the populations living in and around the mines. This study will make the authorities of the health system, administrative authorities, and civil society aware of the possible causes of birth defects in mining areas. Should there indeed be an environmental cause, we aim to establish effective preven-tion measures and the University will serve as an asset for permanent monitor-ing through research teams. This project will be the first-in-kind in the DRC.
