‘Staggering’ rise in women with reproductive health issues near DRC cobalt mines

  • 📰 GuardianAus
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 66 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 30%
  • Publisher: 98%

Australia Headlines News

Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines

Investigation reveals reports of miscarriages, infections and birth defects among women and girls in mining communities

are reporting a “staggering” rise in serious reproductive health issues, including miscarriages and birth defects, according to a new report., “a paediatrician, who has been recording patients’ data since 2016, explained that the rates of genital infections and skin pathologies among female patients had exploded. She believed this was because these populations are the primary users of ‘unclean water’, making them particularly vulnerable to diseases.

Anaïs Tobalagba, a legal and policy researcher at Raid and the report’s lead researcher, told the Guardian: “One of the most striking findings that we discovered was the differentiated impact on women. We knew there had been research linking cobalt mining to reproductive health issues. But we did not know the scope of it until we began these interviews.”

Cobalt is used to make batteries for a number of household items, including electric vehicles. Transition to green energy has drivenWomen are more likely to come in to daily contact with contaminated water than men, said Van Woudenberg. “They’re not drinking the water but they bathe in it, wash their clothes, household cleaning – all things women are doing. And medical experts have told us that that when the pH level of water is lower, gynaecological issues are more likely.

“While the research is still ongoing, preliminary results from March 2024 show that water pH for all of the rivers and the lake assessed is low,” said Van Woudenberg. “The scientists said this was a clear sign that these water bodies are affected by acidified industrial pollution. The scientific researchers assess that, given their acidity levels, the rivers have become unable to host fish, and that their water is toxic for human and animal health.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 1. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

AFL legend Greg Williams confirms staggering Gary Ablett Sr belief on Geelong7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsMelbourne - 🏆 18. / 59 Read more »

Staggering figure Australian workers are losing to wage theftAustralian workers are losing nearly $850 million a year due to wage theft, new data has revealed.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

Staggering upset as CL runners-up dumped out in wild shootout; Man Utd flop stars: WrapFootball: Manchester City and Liverpool both missed the opportunity to go top of the premier league after playing out a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Source: FOXSportsAUS - 🏆 24. / 51 Read more »

INTERVIEW: former US Ambassador Herman Cohen explains the current conflict in DRCThere are fears for thousands of people across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, after the M23 rebel group took the town of Nyanzale, killing at least 15 people.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

NT ICAC commissioner describes TRG awards as 'racist' amid joint investigation with NT PoliceIn a letter, the NT's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption says his office doesn't have the resources to conduct a standalone investigation, but is promising officers who provide information protection from disciplinary action. WARNING: This story contains racist and offensive language and images.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Diddy’s home raided in sex trafficking investigationUnited States’ Department of Homeland Security has raided the LA and Miami homes of Sean “Diddy” Combs as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »