what happened last week in Asia, Africa and the Americas

Hey, this is Sham Jaff, your very own news curator. Each week, I highlight some of the biggest stories from regions and countries that are historically underreported in Western media. My goal is to burst our Western-centric bubbles, and expand the view we hold of the world we share with one another. Questions, comments, concerns? You can reach me anytime by replying to this mail. And if this newsletter was forwarded to you, you sign up at whathappenedlastweek.com.

Today in the newsletter: Issue #361 is taking a close look at a recent report by The Examination. Together with other outlets, the team found out that Indian companies are operating battery recycling factories in several African countries, and they're extremely dangerous for people's health and the environment.

Indian companies are bringing the world's most polluting industry to Africa, and people are getting sick

What happened
The Examination, a news outlet focused on global health, uncovered that Indian companies running battery recycling operations in several African nations are seriously harming local families and the environment. They're releasing lead fumes and other dangerous waste, and I'm zooming in on one man's story from the Republic of the Congo.

Why this matters
Battery recycling is known as one of the most polluting industries globally. It's not just about the immediate smoke, dust, and chemicals – these emissions can harm the environment and human health for years to come. The industry is booming in Africa, expected to hit over US$6 billion soon. Interestingly, while India has been regulating this industry for over two decades, many African countries, including the Republic of Congo, haven't followed suit.

Tell me more
The report was published in partnership with The Museba Project, Ghana Business News, and Grist. The team talked to residents living near these factories in the Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Ghana. It found that many are suffering from respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis, with doctors linking it back to the pollution.

Tell me about one concrete example
Meet Cyrille Traoré Ndembi from Vindoulou, Republic of Congo. He's living in the shadow of a giant battery recycling plant run by Metssa Trading, a big name in Central Africa's recycling scene. This isn't just a little inconvenience – we're talking serious air pollution and health risks. Ndembi and his neighbors are battling lung issues, and blood tests reveal high lead levels. This is super risky for kids, as lead exposure can lead to long-term health problems. His youngest daughter's test showed more than 53 micrograms of lead – nine times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommendations for intervention, putting her at risk of learning disabilities and brain damage. Ndembi said he doesn’t have money for medical care. The treatment often recommended for severe lead poisoning, known as chelation, can be expensive.

For comparion, at that level, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a child should undergo an x-ray, a neurological exam and consider admission to a hospital. For anything above 45 micrograms per deciliter, the New York State Department of Health says, "Your child needs medical treatment right away."

What's the response of the government?
Well, it seems like the government isn't stepping up enough. There's clear proof that this pollution is harmful, but not much is being done about it. Looks like money talks louder than health concerns.

Are all battery recycling operations the same?
Depends. You've got over 29,000 battery recycling sites worldwide, where adults and children (!) work without government authorization or protective equipment. But in places like the U.S. and China, they've really upped their game. Pollution control technology makes all the difference. "We know this is feasible and doable. It can be expensive, but it's not rocket science," said Perry Gottesfeld, executive director of Occupational Knowledge International.

Did you know that car batteries are actually super recyclable, like almost the whole thing can be reused? That's why recycling them can be cheaper than getting new lead from the ground.

What's next?
The people of Vindoulou are fighting back in court. Over 150 residents filed a lawsuit to shut down the factory and get compensation. Their first try didn't go so well, but they're not giving up. They're back in court, saying this is a real emergency. These are local courts, however. "India — unlike the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other major corporate hubs — has no specific legal tool for victims of corporate misbehavior overseas." Yet.

Hey, thanks for reading.

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what happened last week - When recycling turns toxic in Africa

what happened last week in Asia, Africa and the Americas

Indian companies are bringing the world's most polluting industry to Africa, and people are getting sick

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