AMELIORATE: Heavy Metal and Antimicrobial Resistance Exposure through Waste in Kenya

A collaborative research project addressing environmental contamination, antimicrobial resistance, and public health risks associated with waste systems in Kenya. The project is funded under Climate Change Action and Reducing Inequity and brings together institutions from Denmark and Kenya to study environmental and health risks using a One Health approach.

Project Overview

Waste management challenges in many regions of the world pose significant risks to environmental and public health. In Kenya, open dumpsites and informal waste handling activities expose communities, animals, and ecosystems to hazardous substances including heavy metals and antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The AMELIORATE project investigates how these contaminants spread through environmental systems and how exposure occurs in humans and animals living near waste environments. Using a One Health approach, the project integrates environmental science, veterinary medicine, microbiology, and public health research to better understand risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.

The research contributes to global efforts addressing antimicrobial resistance, environmental pollution, and climate-related health challenges.