DRC: Alleged toxic lead poisoning by Metssa Congo remains without clean up
The factory that poisoned this Congolese town is gone. But the toxic lead remains. 1 April 2026
'More than a year ago, in December 2024, the country’s environmental minister shut down a battery recycling facility near Ndembi’s home that spewed lead into the air, contaminating soil and poisoning neighbors, including Cyrfanie. The minister ordered the company operating the factory, Metssa Congo, to pay the community about $18,000 for cleanup and medical care.' (...)
'They haven’t seen the money the government ordered Metssa Congo to pay. The factory was dismantled, but no one did followup testing, treated the victims or removed tainted soil. And there has been no further communication from the WHO.' (...)
'Metssa Congo is no longer in business. Its former owner, Arun Goswami, could not be located. Goswmai previously denied the factory was responsible for lead poisoning and said his factory operated according to international standards and with the approval of the Congolese government.' (...)