Terry Gross is gross wrt the truth and not to be trusted.
I don’t know anything about Terry Gross, but what did he write that is not true? People who write about horrible things in Africa are often lefty do-gooder Peace Corps types.
However, I believe them. Cobalt is the new “blood diamonds” and the left is fond of talking about the “ESG” score of everything.
The “ESG” score on the cobalt mines in the Congo or the Lithium Triangle in South America suck. It is disgusting what is happening there. I spoke with a missionary who was very familiar with the Congo a few years ago and its worse than you think.
The tragedy is just beginning because the drinking water, aquatic life, plants, animals, and people are being contaminated by heavy metals and cobalt dust.
Safety Data Sheet for cobalt dust:
https://www.tedpella.com/SDS_html/29-27_9570_Cobalt_Products_sds.pdf
Here is what the EPA says about cobalt compounds - lots of “health risks”
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/cobalt-compounds.pdf
You want to know what OSHA sets as the limits for workplace exposures here in the US? Here you go:
https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/539
We are harming the poorest people on the planet and destroying their eco-system to “save our planet”. This contamination goes far beyond the “artisan miners” - it is leeching into their water supply and air.