Global Environmental Health Impacts of Rare Earth Metals: Insights for Research and Policy Making in Africa

The rise of globalization and industrialization has driven the demand for rare earth metals (REMs). These are widely used in various sectors global economy with applications medicine, renewable energy, electronics, agriculture, military. REMs likely to remain an important part our future, and, as production increases, areas contaminated by expected expand over coming decades. Thus, triggering significant adverse environmental, animal, human health impacts. Despite increased attention on outside China recent years, there limited studies exploring REM production, deposits, associated impacts African context. Proper mine management, adequate safety protocols, sustainable processing methods, waste handling systems have been identified proposed globally; however, nature scale implementing these management protocols continent less clear. Therefore, planetary health-centered solutions urgently needed be undertaken researchers, policy makers, non-governmental actors Africa across globe. This is overarching aim ensuring eco-friendly alternatives public consciousness exploitations hazards future generations come.