Phosphate mining pollution in southern Tunisia: environmental, epidemiological, and socioeconomic investigation

Younes Hamed (), Faten Khelifi (), Besser Houda (), Amina Ben Sâad (), Kaouther Ncibi, Riheb Hadji (), Achraf Melki () and Amor Hamad ()
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Younes Hamed: University of Gafsa, City Campus Sidi Ahmed Zarroug
Faten Khelifi: University of Gafsa, City Campus Sidi Ahmed Zarroug
Besser Houda: International Association of Water Resources in the Southern Mediterranean Basin
Amina Ben Sâad: Regional Hospital of Gafsa, Tunisian Ministry of Health
Kaouther Ncibi: University of Gafsa, City Campus Sidi Ahmed Zarroug
Riheb Hadji: International Association of Water Resources in the Southern Mediterranean Basin
Achraf Melki: Technical Development Solutions Saudi Company (TDS)
Amor Hamad: University of Tebessa

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2023, vol. 25, issue 11, No 61, 13619-13636

Abstract: Abstract The present study tends to close this gap of knowledge by introducing new data based on cross-sectional surveys operated through two steps, a specific questionnaire at local hospitals involving mainly cancer patients (n = 315) and a general households questionnaire concerning firstly the population of Gafsa region and secondly its surroundings (n = 103). Results showed that most subjects are females suffering from breast cancer attaining 67.74% of the respondents. About 17.46% of the male subjects suffer from prostate cancer which is the second most frequent type among both sexes. Our findings concerning breast cancer are in consistency with the data of the Tunisian cancer centers and the worldwide data confirm that it is the most frequent type of cancer with the highest rates of annual new incidences. Approximately half of Gafsa residents declared to have at least one family member working in the mining industry which is in consistency with the percentage of respondents with dental fluorosis and/or kidney dysfunction. Proximity of mine areas, also, has been identified as an exacerbating factor of cancer morbidity in the studied area.

Keywords: Questionnaire; Health risks; Mining area; Environmental pollution; Gafsa-Tunisia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02606-x

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