Staff Profiles

PhD Environmental Health - University of Pretoria, SA

• MSc Biology (Specialisation: Chemical And Environmental Toxicology)- University of Ottawa, ON, CA
• BEd. Community Health Education - University of Toledo, OH, USA
• BSc. Interdisciplinary Studies - University of Toledo, OH, USA

Associate Professor Bontle Mbongwe, is the Head of School of Public Health, and founding Head of the Department of Environmental Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana. She holds a PhD in Environmental Health from University of Pretoria, South Africa and an MSc in Biology (specialisation: Chemical and Environmental Toxicology) from the University of Ottawa in Canada. She has conducted research on diverse issues related to pesticides and toxic heavy metal exposures, tobacco and health, health care waste (HCW) management, HIV, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and poisoning. Some of her notable works include measurement of blood lead levels in children aged 1-6 years, Development of a clinical assessment tool for lead exposure during pregnancy and DDT in fish from the Okavango delta. She Chairs the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Steering Committee (dealing with Stockholm, Minamata, Basel, and Rotterdam Conventions). Her HCW research has influenced a change  in Government policy to phase out mercury containing devices in health care facilities. Prof Mbongwe, is a recipient of two (2) WHO Director General awards on leadership in Global Tobacco  Control awarded in 2003 and 2021. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Anti Tobacco Network (ATN), a civil society movement based at the University of Botswana. Prof Mbongwe is a member of the UNEP DDT Expert Group (Stockholm Convention) and the NCD Technical Working Group.

Basic Toxicology

Environmental Health

Research methodology

Health promotion and Education

• Pesticides and heavy metals
• Chemicals: toxicity, exposure assessment, risk assessment and risk management strategies 
• Environmental pollution including, hazardous chemicals, food and contaminated water
• Interventions and prevention of environmental health risks (implementation science)
• Tobacco control and addiction
• Non Communicable Diseases

• Pesticides and heavy metals
• Chemicals: toxicity, exposure assessment, risk assessment and risk management strategies 
• Environmental pollution including, hazardous chemicals, food and contaminated water
• Interventions and prevention of environmental health risks 
• Tobacco control and addiction
• Disease Control
• Poisoning
• hazardous waste management

Refer to the link below for publications:

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ley8yHsAAAAJ&hl=en

Scopus: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3839-1225