{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,4]],"date-time":"2026-05-04T07:02:33Z","timestamp":1777878153619,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,28]],"date-time":"2024-06-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1719532800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Copperbelt University Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining (CBU-ACESM)"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The emission of sulphur dioxide (SO\u00a02) from mining activities presents significant health hazards, particularly to communities near industrial zones. This mixed-methods study investigates the nexus between (SO\u00a02) exposure and respiratory health in Kankoyo Township, Zambia. Employing community engagement, expert interviews, spatial analysis, and a retrospective examination of 15 years of health and (SO\u00a02) data, the research identified a troubling correlation between (SO\u00a02) exposure and adverse respiratory health effects among the local population. Expert interviews highlighted that respiratory issues constituted approximately 75% of health complications, with a notable reduction in asthma cases following the installation of a monitoring station and upgrades to smelter operations. Spatial analysis demonstrated that (SO\u00a02) levels in Kankoyo exceeded the Zambian Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) limits by 1713% identifying it as a significant pollution hotspot. Additionally, wind profile analysis indicated frequent low-speed winds from the east-northeast (ENE), contributing to pollutant accumulation. Based on these insights, the study recommends implementing real-time pollution data sharing, affordable air quality sensors, addressing medication shortages, establishing specialized respiratory clinics, launching IT-driven awareness campaigns, and further research into additional pollutants and confounding factors.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph21070850","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,3]],"date-time":"2024-07-03T06:04:18Z","timestamp":1719986658000},"page":"850","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":8,"title":["Unveiling the Nexus: Sulphur Dioxide Exposure, Proximity to Mining, and Respiratory Illnesses in Kankoyo: A Mixed-Methods Investigation"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"21","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2076-082X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sipiwe","family":"Chihana","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of ICT, Copperbelt University Jambo Drive, Riverside, Kitwe P.O. Box 21692, Zambia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jameson","family":"Mbale","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of ICT, Copperbelt University Jambo Drive, Riverside, Kitwe P.O. Box 21692, Zambia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nchimunya","family":"Chaamwe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of ICT, Copperbelt University Jambo Drive, Riverside, Kitwe P.O. Box 21692, Zambia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"WHO (2023). Overview of Methods to Assess Population Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution, WHO."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"WHO (2021). 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