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Roduner E, Rohwer ER. Preserving Cultural Diversity in Rural Africa Using Renewable Energy. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2024; 8:2300263. [PMID: 38223891 PMCID: PMC10784189 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202300263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Ninety percent of the large interior, rural part of Africa is not an abundant user of fossil fuels and is not connected to an electricity grid. This limits habitability and leads to significant migration to larger cities in attempts to improve economic and social welfare, which happens at the cost of its rich cultural diversity by inevitable adaption and mixing of societies. A direct transition from a firewood to an off-grid renewable electricity age can mitigate this detrimental development. This perspective discusses the interdisciplinary requirements linking cultural, sociological, economic, and technical aspects for a transition to modern life without loss of valuable traditions. Photovoltaic power and wind energy can provide local affordable electricity in off-grid locations. Intermediate storage for day-night cycles is catered for by novel types of batteries. Purifying and recycling water, refrigerating food and medicine, and benefitting from contact with the world via electronic media permit a tremendous increase in living conditions and significantly lower the pressure of migration into cities. Access to energy is a fundamental requirement for the preservation of the rich cultural diversity with family and tribal bindings, local languages, traditions, and religions, and allows for a more moderate transition to a modern society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Roduner
- Chemistry Department University of Pretoria Pretoria 0002 South Africa
- Institute of Physical Chemistry University of Stuttgart 70569 Stuttgart Germany
| | - Egmont R Rohwer
- Chemistry Department University of Pretoria Pretoria 0002 South Africa
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Rathebe PC, Mbazima SJ. Risk-Based Assessment of 132 kV Electric Distribution Substations and Proximal Residential Areas in the Mangaung Metropolitan Region. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4365. [PMID: 36901371 PMCID: PMC10001757 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Annually, an estimate of 2.3 million workers die prematurely due to occupational injuries and illnesses. In this study, a risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the compliance of 132 kV electric distribution substations and proximal residential areas with the South African occupational health and safety Act 85 of 1993. Data were collected from 30 electric distribution substations and 30 proximal residential areas using a checklist. Distribution substations of 132 kV were assigned an overall compliance value of ≥80%, while a composite risk value of < 0.5 was assigned to individual residential areas. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check for data normality before multiple comparisons and the Bonferroni adjustment was applied. Non-compliances in electric distribution substations were as a result of poor housekeeping and inappropriate fencing conditions. Ninety-three percent of the electric distribution substations (28/30) scored < 75% compliance on housekeeping and 30% (7/30) were non-compliant (<100%) on fencing. Conversely, there was compliance in the proximal residential areas concerning the substations. Statistically significant differences were found when substation positioning and surrounding infrastructure (p < 0.00), electromagnetic field sources (p < 0.00) and maintenance/general tidiness (p < 0.00) were compared. A peak risk value of 0.6 was observed when comparing the substation positioning with proximal electromagnetic field sources in the residential area. Housekeeping and fencing in the distribution substations must be improved to prevent occupational incidents such as injuries, fire outbreaks, theft and vandalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoka Caiphus Rathebe
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Setlamorago Jackson Mbazima
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Park, Johannesburg 1709, South Africa
- Department of Toxicology and Biochemistry, National Institute of Occupational Health, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
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Sadeghi S, Soltanmohammadlou N, Nasirzadeh F. Applications of wireless sensor networks to improve occupational safety and health in underground mines. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2022; 83:8-25. [PMID: 36481040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The very complex and hazardous environment of underground mines may significantly contribute to occupational fatalities and injuries. Deploying wireless sensor network (WSN) technology has the potential to improve safety and health monitoring of miners and operators. However, the application of WSN in the industry is not fully understood and current research themes in this area are fragmented. Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive review that directly explores the contribution of WSNs to occupational safety and health (OSH) in underground mines. METHOD This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the existing applications of WSNs for improving OSH in the underground mining industry to pinpoint innovative research themes and their main achievements, reveal gaps and shortcomings in the literature, recommend avenues for future scholarly works, and propose potential safety interventions. The major contribution of this review is to provide researchers and practitioners with a holistic understanding of the integration of WSN applications into underground mine safety and health management. RESULTS The review results have been categorized and discussed under three predominant categories including location monitoring and tracking, physiological and body kinematics monitoring, and environmental monitoring. Finally, seven major directions for future research and practical interventions have been identified based on the existing research gaps including: (1) further applications of WSNs for underground mining OSH management; (2) application of WSNs from research to real-world practice; (3) big data analytics and management; (4) deploying multiple WSNs-based monitoring systems; (5) integration of WSNs with other communication systems; (6) adapting WSNs to the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure; and (7) autonomous WSNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Sadeghi
- Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Farnad Nasirzadeh
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.
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Loudon JE, Lewis AE, Turner TR, Howells ME, Lieurance A, Pender JE. Heavy metal ecotoxicology of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) across field sites in South Africa. Primates 2022; 63:525-533. [DOI: 10.1007/s10329-022-01002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Sikweyiya Y, Nkosi S, Langa M, Operario D, Lurie MN. "You see this thing is hard… ey, this thing is painful": The burden of the provider role and construction of masculinities amongst Black male mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268227. [PMID: 35604897 PMCID: PMC9126392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper we examine men's insights on how migration and minework affect their perceptions and performances of masculinity in the settings of minework and in their "real home" communities and explore the potential consequences of masculinity constructions for their own and their family's health. This study used qualitative methodology. Findings are based on 13 in-depth interviews conducted over two phases of data collection with adult men who were either working or seeking work in the mines in North-West province, South Africa. Data suggest that for these men, migration to and working in the mines meant they must straddle the temporal space of work and the rural home space. For these men, the role of provider was an inescapable demand and, resulting from migration for work, their experience of fatherhood was solely centred on material provision with little or no emotional involvement with their children. Findings further illustrate the impact of minework on men's health and livelihoods-resulting in some men reimagining and seeking to create alternative career paths for their children. There is pressing need for labour reforms on the employment conditions of low-paid mine workers to enable them to reinforce their livelihoods and secure better futures for their families. Gender-transformative interventions which aim to transform ideas of masculinity that emphasize providing rather than emotional involvement with children are also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandisa Sikweyiya
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Sebenzile Nkosi
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Malose Langa
- School of Community and Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Don Operario
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Mark N. Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States of America
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Wireko-Gyebi RS, Arhin A, Braimah I, King R, Lykke AM. Working in a risky environment: Coping and Risk Handling Strategies among Small-scale Miners in Ghana. Saf Health Work 2022; 13:163-169. [PMID: 35664911 PMCID: PMC9142356 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is estimated that about 13 million artisanal and small-scale miners carry out their activities under harsh, precarious, unfriendly, and risky conditions. Yet, our understanding of the extent to which these workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) and navigate through the various risks and hazards they face is still limited. This article has two main objectives. First, it explores the extent of usage of PPE among artisanal and small-scale miners for the prevention of hazards and risks. Second, it examines the coping strategies used by these miners as a response to experiences of occupational injuries and risks Methods A cross-sectional survey of small-scale miners was conducted in six communities across three districts in Ghana, West Africa. The mixed methods approach was adopted. A total of 148 small-scale miners participated in the study. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) were held across the six communities. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests were used to analyse the relationship between some socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age, and educational background) and the usage of PPE. Open-ended questions and responses from FGDs were analysed based on the content and verbatim quotations from miners. Results Findings suggest that 78% of the miners interviewed do not use the appropriate PPE citing reasons such as cost, and their personal discomfort associated with use of PPE. There was no significant relationship between socio-demographic characteristics (i.e., sex, age, education and major mining activity) and the usage of PPE. The study further revealed four main coping strategies used by miners to handle the risks. These are rest, taking unprescribed medication and hard drugs, registration with health insurance scheme and savings and investments. Conclusion This study shows that very few artisanal miners use PPE despite the significant hazards and risks to which they are exposed. The study recommends to the government to put in place measures to ensure that miners adhere to health and safety regulations before undertaking mining activities. This means that health and safety plans and use of PPE should be linked to the license acquisition process for miners.
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Abstract
Anthropogenic activity is related to several environmental imbalances, including dust. Particulate matter can also hinder humans with numerous health consequences, such as asthma, cancer, and pneumoconiosis. With a particular focus on mineral dust, this review is intended to determine in which circumstances occupational exposure occurs in the mining and earthmoving industries. Research followed the guidelines provided by the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols and its extension for scoping reviews. Of the 8993 records identified, only 24 passed both exclusion and inclusion criteria. Within the pool of results, it was possible to identify the following variables related to dust exposure: job-related (activity, job category, and site), engineering (equipment, transport system), technical (distance), and physical (season and weather) variables. Due to the significant variance in protocol settings, it was challenging to perform a general analysis, resulting in a study-by-study approach. The most significant conclusion of this study is not related to the setting of occupational exposure, although it derives from it. The necessity of adopting standard procedures for data collection, independent of research objective, was demonstrated within the context of occupational exposure to mineral dust.
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Tulcan RXS, Ouyang W, Lin C, He M, Wang B. Vanadium pollution and health risks in marine ecosystems: Anthropogenic sources over natural contributions. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 207:117838. [PMID: 34775169 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Vanadium has been classified as a potentially toxic metal and has been given limited attention in comparison to similar trace metals. Similarly, worldwide and continental vanadium pollution and risks remain contested. Here, we synthesized the worldwide concentration of vanadium in marine ecosystems with the relevant ecological and human health risks. We found that vanadium in biota and seawater collected from Asia shows significant increases over the temporal analysis, with rates similar to those reported for vanadium consumption and production. Furthermore, invertebrates have a higher concentration of vanadium than fishes. Similarly, we demonstrate that sediments classified as polluted have concentrations that are not directly correlated with the highest concentrations across continents. Finally, ecological risks were higher from seawater, with potential impacts to 55% of aquatic species in Asia estimated from chronic species sensitivity distribution (SSD). The concentration endangering only 5% of seawater species (HC5) was estimated as 1.13 (0.05-21.19) μg L-1. Estimated daily intakes revealed that overall, there are none to low health risks from aquatic product consumption, yet high risks are plausible to children with consumption patterns in the 95th percentile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Xavier Supe Tulcan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China.
| | - Chunye Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Mengchang He
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Baodong Wang
- Ministry of Natural Resources, The First Institute of Oceanography, 6 Xianxialing Road, Qingdao 266061, China
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Wright CY, Norval M. Health Risks Associated With Excessive Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Among Outdoor Workers in South Africa: An Overview. Front Public Health 2021; 9:678680. [PMID: 33996735 PMCID: PMC8113384 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.678680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of outdoor workers to high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) poses significant, well-known health risks including skin cancer and eye diseases. In South Africa, little is known about how many workers are potentially overexposed to solar UVR and what the associated impacts on their health might be. In this overview, the geography and solar UVR environment in South Africa are considered, as well as the different outdoor occupational groups likely to be affected by excessive solar UVR exposure. Sunburn, pterygium, cataract, keratinocyte cancers, and melanoma are discussed in the context of outdoor workers. Few studies in South Africa have considered these health issues and the most effective ways to reduce solar UVR exposure for those working outside. Several countries have developed policies and guidelines to support sun safety in the workplace which include training and education, in addition to the provision of personal protective equipment and managerial support. Several gaps in occupational sun protection and workplace sun safety for South Africa are identified. Legislation needs to recognize solar UVR exposure as an occupational health hazard, with sun safety guidelines and training provided for employers and employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caradee Y Wright
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mary Norval
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Stewart AG. Mining is bad for health: a voyage of discovery. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:1153-1165. [PMID: 31289975 PMCID: PMC7225204 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00367-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Mining continues to be a dangerous activity, whether large-scale industrial mining or small-scale artisanal mining. Not only are there accidents, but exposure to dust and toxins, along with stress from the working environment or managerial pressures, give rise to a range of diseases that affect miners. I look at mining and health from various personal perspectives: that of the ordinary man (much of life depends on mined elements in the house, car and phone); as a member of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (environmental contamination and degradation leads to ill health in nearby communities); as a public health doctor (mining health is affected by many factors, usually acting in a mix, ranging from individual inheritance-genetic makeup, sex, age; personal choices-diet, lifestyle; living conditions-employment, war; social support-family, local community; environmental conditions-education, work; to national and international constraints-trade, economy, natural world); as a volunteer (mining health costs are not restricted to miners or industry but borne by everyone who partakes of mining benefits-all of us); and as a lay preacher (the current global economy concentrates on profit at the expense of the health of miners). Partnership working by academics with communities, government and industry should develop evidence-based solutions. Employment, health, economic stability and environmental protection need not be mutually exclusive. We all need to act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex G Stewart
- College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4RJ, UK.
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Matatiele P, Mochaki L, Southon B, Dabula B, Poongavanum P, Kgarebe B. Environmental and biological monitoring in the workplace: A 10-year South African retrospective analysis. AAS Open Res 2019; 1:20. [PMID: 32382697 PMCID: PMC7194147 DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.12882.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This report is an overview of requests for biological and environmental monitoring of hazardous chemicals, submitted to the National Institute for Occupational Health, Analytical Services Laboratory for testing from the years 2005 to 2015. The report discusses the nature of tests requested and implications for workers’ health and environment, as well as potential impact of the uncertainties associated with monitoring of hazardous chemicals. This is a retrospective, descriptive, qualitative and quantitative audit of all samples received and tests performed retrieved from records of analysis by the laboratory. The study sample consisted of 44,221 samples. The report indicates that throughout the interrogation period the demand for biological monitoring was higher than that for environmental monitoring, with more requests for toxic metals than organic pollutants. Toxic metal testing was highest for mercury, followed by manganese, lead, aluminium and arsenic. The highest number of tests for organic pollutants was conducted for pesticides followed by toluene and xylene. The study has also revealed that the scope of tests requested is rather narrow and does not reflect the broad spectrum of
South Africa’s industrial diversity. Having identified possible reasons for underutilization, a number of reforms that could enhance the laboratory’s performance have been addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puleng Matatiele
- Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa
| | - Lerato Mochaki
- Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa
| | - Bianca Southon
- Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa
| | - Boitumelo Dabula
- Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa
| | - Poobalan Poongavanum
- Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa
| | - Boitumelo Kgarebe
- Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa.,African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya
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Matatiele P, Mochaki L, Southon B, Dabula B, Poongavanum P, Kgarebe B. Environmental and biological monitoring in the workplace: A 10-year South African retrospective analysis. AAS Open Res 2018; 1:20. [DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.12882.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This report is an overview of requests for biological and environmental monitoring of hazardous chemicals, submitted to the National Institute for Occupational Health, Analytical Services Laboratory for testing from the years 2005 to 2015. The report discusses the nature of tests requested and implications for workers’ health and environment, as well as potential impact of the uncertainties associated with monitoring of hazardous chemicals. This is a retrospective, descriptive, qualitative and quantitative audit of all samples received and tests performed retrieved from records of analysis by the laboratory. The study sample consisted of 44,221 samples. The report indicates that throughout the interrogation period the demand for biological monitoring was higher than that for environmental monitoring, with more requests for toxic metals than organic pollutants. Toxic metal testing was highest for mercury, followed by manganese, lead, aluminium and arsenic. The highest number of tests for organic pollutants was conducted for pesticides followed by toluene and xylene. The study has also revealed that the scope of tests requested is rather narrow and does not reflect the broad spectrum of South Africa’s industrial diversity. Having identified possible reasons for underutilization, a number of reforms that could enhance the laboratory’s performance have been addressed.
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Koen V, Ryke EH, Watson MJ, Van Eeden ES. Community caregivers' perspectives of community well-being in a mining community. Health SA 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hsag.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Jing C, Landsberger S, Li YL. The application of illite supported nanoscale zero valent iron for the treatment of uranium contaminated groundwater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 175-176:1-6. [PMID: 28407570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, nanoscale zero valent iron I-NZVI was investigated as a remediation strategy for uranium contaminated groundwater from the former Cimarron Fuel Fabrication Site in Oklahoma, USA. The 1 L batch-treatment system was applied in the study. The result shows that 99.9% of uranium in groundwater was removed by I-NZVI within 2 h. Uranium concentration in the groundwater stayed around 27 μg/L, and there was no sign of uranium release into groundwater after seven days of reaction time. Meanwhile the release of iron was significantly decreased compared to NZVI which can reduce the treatment impact on the water environment. To study the influence of background pH of the treatment system on removal efficiency of uranium, the groundwater was adjusted from pH 2-10 before the addition of I-NZVI. The pH of the groundwater was from 2.1 to 10.7 after treatment. The removal efficiency of uranium achieved a maximum in neutral pH of groundwater. The desorption of uranium on the residual solid phase after treatment was investigated in order to discuss the stability of uranium on residual solids. After 2 h of leaching, 0.07% of the total uranium on residual solid phase was leached out in a HNO3 leaching solution with a pH of 4.03. The concentration of uranium in the acid leachate was under 3.2 μg/L which is below the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 30 μg/L. Otherwise, the concentration of uranium was negligible in distilled water leaching solution (pH = 6.44) and NaOH leaching solution (pH = 8.52). A desorption study shows that an acceptable amount of uranium on the residuals can be released into water system under strong acid conditions in short terms. For long term disposal management of the residual solids, the leachate needs to be monitored and treated before discharge into a hazardous landfill or the water system. For the first time, I-NZVI was applied for the treatment of uranium contaminated groundwater. These results provide proof that I-NZVI has improved performance compared to NZVI and is a promising technology for the restoration of complex uranium contaminated water resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jing
- Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab, University of Texas at Austin, 10,100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78712, USA; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - S Landsberger
- Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab, University of Texas at Austin, 10,100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Enviroklean Product Development Inc., 9227 Thomasville Dr. Houston, TX 77064, USA.
| | - Y L Li
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
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Antoniadis V, Golia EE, Shaheen SM, Rinklebe J. Bioavailability and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in Thriasio Plain, near Athens, Greece. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2017; 39:319-330. [PMID: 27873109 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9882-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are usually found in areas of intense industrial activity. Thriasio Plain is a plain near Athens, Greece, where most of the heavy industry of the country has been situated for decades, but it also is a residential and horticultural area. We aimed at measuring the levels of PTEs in soils and indigenous plant species and assessing the health risk associated with direct soil ingestion. Samples of soils at roadsides and growing plants were collected from 31 sites of that area. Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were measured in both soils (as pseudo-total) and aerial plant tissues. We found that As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher than maximum regulatory limits. Element concentrations in plants were rather lower than expected, probably because indigenous plants have developed excluder behaviour over time. Copper and Zn soil-to-plant coefficients were highest among the other elements; for Cu this was unexpected, and probably associated with recent Cu-releasing industrial activity. Risk assessment analysis indicated that As was the element contributing more than 50 % of the health risk related to direct soil ingestion, followed by Cr, Pb, and, surprisingly, Mn. We concluded that in a multi-element contamination situation, elevated risk of PTEs (such as As, Cr and Pb) may reduce the tolerance limits of exposure to less-toxic elements (here, Mn).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Antoniadis
- School of Agriculture, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Street, 384 46, Vólos, Greece.
| | - Evangelia E Golia
- School of Agriculture, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Street, 384 46, Vólos, Greece
| | - Sabry M Shaheen
- Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kafrelsheikh, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33 516, Egypt
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- Soil- and Groundwater-Management, University of Wuppertal, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany
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Antoniadis V, Shaheen SM, Boersch J, Frohne T, Du Laing G, Rinklebe J. Bioavailability and risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in garden edible vegetables and soils around a highly contaminated former mining area in Germany. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 186:192-200. [PMID: 27117508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Although soil contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Europe has a history of many centuries, related problems are often considered as having been dealt with due to the enforcement of tight legislations. However, there are many unsolved issues. We aimed to assess PTE levels in highly contaminated soils and in garden edible vegetables using human health risk indices in order to evaluate the availability and mobilization of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). In four gardens in Germany, situated on, or in the vicinity of, a mine dump area, we planted beans (Phaseolus vulgaris ssp. nanus), carrots (Daucus sativus) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa ssp. capitata). We examined soil-to-plant mobilization of elements using transfer coefficient (TC), as well as soil contamination using contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and bioaccumulation index (Igeo). In addition, we tested two human health risk assessment indices: Soil-induced hazard quotient (HQS) (representing the "direct soil ingestion" pathway), and vegetable-induced hazard quotient (HQV) (representing the "vegetable intake" pathway). The studied elements were highly elevated in the soils. The values in garden 2 were especially high (e.g., Pb: 13789.0 and Hg: 36.8 mg kg-1) and largely exceeded the reported regulation limits of 50 (for As), 40 (Cu), 400 (Pb), 150 (Zn), and 5 (Hg) mg kg-1. Similarly, element concentrations were very high in the grown vegetables. The indices of CF, EF and Igeo were enhanced even to levels that are rarely reported in the literature. Specifically, garden 2 indicated severe contamination due to multi-element deposition. The contribution of each PTE to the total of measured HQS revealed that Pb was the single most important element causing health risk (contributing up to 77% to total HQS). Lead also posed the highest risk concerning vegetable consumption, contributing up to 77% to total HQV. The presence of lead in both cases was followed by that of As, Mn and Hg. We conclude that in multi-element contamination cases, along with high-toxicity elements (here, Pb, As and Hg) other elements may also be responsible for increasing human health risks (i.e., Mn), due to the possibility of adverse synergism of the PTEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Antoniadis
- School of Agriculture, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Street, GR-384 46, Greece.
| | - Sabry M Shaheen
- University of Kafrelsheikh, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil and Water Sciences, 33 516 Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt; University of Wuppertal, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Judith Boersch
- University of Wuppertal, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Tina Frohne
- University of Wuppertal, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Gijs Du Laing
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany.
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Chanda-Kapata P, Osei-Afriyie D, Mwansa C, Kapata N. Tuberculosis in the mines of Zambia: A case for intervention. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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