Hazards identified and the need for health risk assessment in the South African mining industry

Abstract

<jats:p> Although mining plays a prominent role in the economy of South Africa, it is associated with many chemical hazards. Exposure to dust from mining can lead to many pathological effects depending on mineralogical composition, size, shape and levels and duration of exposure. Mining and processing of minerals also result in occupational exposure to toxic substances such as platinum, chromium, vanadium, manganese, mercury, cyanide and diesel particulate. South Africa has set occupational exposure limits (OELs) for some hazards, but mine workers are still at a risk. Since the hazard posed by a mineral depends on its physiochemical properties, it is recommended that South Africa should not simply adopt OELs from other countries but rather set her own standards based on local toxicity studies. The limits should take into account the issue of mixtures to which workers could be exposed as well as the health status of the workers. The mining industry is also a source of contamination of the environment, due inter alia to the large areas of tailings dams and dumps left behind. Therefore, there is need to develop guidelines for safe land-uses of contaminated lands after mine closure. </jats:p>

Environmental and biological monitoring in the workplace: A 10-year South African retrospective analysis

“…SA's main raw materials mined are gold, diamonds, platinum, chromium, vanadium, manganese, uranium, iron, coal and copper. Scientific studies have confirmed that mining of any of these minerals presents health hazards; hence human exposure to them should be monitored as well as the environment in which their use occurs 30 . However, the spectrum of tests requested for biological and environmental monitoring at the Analytical Services is not representative of this variety of raw materials.…”

Community caregivers' perspectives of community well-being in a mining community

“…respiratory ailments) experienced by people who live in or near such areas (Edmeston, 2010;Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 2012;Utembe, Faustman, Matatiele, & Gulumian, 2015). Recent literature speculates on the possible effects of polluted water and mine drainage in the broader UpperWonderfonteinspruit environment near which especially the Bekkersdal informal settlement is situated (Coetzee, Winde, & Wade, 2006;Environment News South Africa, 2010;Liefferink, 2015;Winde, 2009).…”

“…The adjacent Donaldson Dam in the Upper-Wonderfonteinspruit, for example, is known for the unacceptably high levels of radioactivity in its sediment (Liefferink, 2015;Winde, 2009). Utembe et al (2015) indicate that mining in South Africa is associated with various chemical and health hazards. Amongst others, the dust that is produced as a result of mining, can result in a variety of pathological effects and mining and processing of minerals can result in exposure to toxic substances such as platinum, chromium, vanadium, and so forth (Utembe et al, 2015).…”

“…Utembe et al (2015) indicate that mining in South Africa is associated with various chemical and health hazards. Amongst others, the dust that is produced as a result of mining, can result in a variety of pathological effects and mining and processing of minerals can result in exposure to toxic substances such as platinum, chromium, vanadium, and so forth (Utembe et al, 2015). Other authors also point to the possible harmful effects of mining and report that when inhaled, the dust produced by mining can cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract and is an important risk factor for many respiratory diseases, such as silicosis, silicotuberculosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, obstructive airways disease and asthma (Ross & Murray, 2004).…”

“…Furthermore, the mining and processing of minerals is also found to be hazardous. Utembe et al (2015) point out that the method used in South Africa for the purpose of processing utilizes cyanide and that the technique used can contaminate soil and water. Phakedi (2010) states that dispersion modeling suggests that as many as tens of thousands of residents in Johannesburg that live in areas adjacent to tailings may be exposed to atmospheric cyanide concentrations that are above international standards as a result of this mineral processing technique.…”