NOX AND VOC MEASUREMENTS AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT IN AN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT IN DURBAN

A previous study by Muller et al. (2003) investigated NOx, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene levels in households in the densely settled informal settlement of Cato Crest located within the Durban Metropolitan area. AHealth Risk Assessment based on the United States EPA approach showed that the residents of Cato Crest experienced significant health risks as a result of exposure to these pollutants largely as a result of kerosene usage in their homes. Specifically, the study which was conducted in September 2000 in 14 households, showed that exposure to NOx over a 24-hour period indicated a potential health risk in all the households, that benzene poses a health risk in 50% of the households, whereas there is no health risk associated with exposure to toluene. A follow-up study was conducted in July 2006 targeting similar households and pollutants to investigate whether comparable results were found in a typical winter period, when air quality is generally expected to deteriorate

Huntington's disease predictive testing: the case for an assessment approach to requests from adolescents

Adolescents who are actively requesting Huntington's predictive testing of their own accord pose a dilemma to those providing testing. In the absence of empirical evidence as regards the impact of genetic testing on minors, current policy and guidelines, based on the ethical principles of non-maleficence and respect for individual autonomy and confidentiality, generally exclude the testing of minors. It is argued that adherence to an age based exclusion criterion in Huntington's disease predictive testing protocols is out of step with trends in UK case law concerning minors' consent to medical treatment. Furthermore, contributions from developmental psychology and research into adolescents' decision making competence suggest that adolescents can make informed choices about their health and personal lives. Criteria for developing an assessment approach to such requests are put forward and the implications of a case by case evaluation of competence to consent in terms of clinicians' tolerance for uncertainty are discussed