The role of environmental health in the Basotho male initiation schools: neglected or restricted?

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to point the Environmental Health (EH) profession in South Africa in the direction of their neglected function. The health inspection of initiation schools is one of the abandoned responsibility of EH profession in South Africa. This is due to fear of interfering with the traditional value systems and thus resulting in significant non-compliance to EH norms and standards. Little information is available on the compliance rate of EH requirements in the African traditional initiation schools. South African National Department of Health states that EHPs have an obligation to protect the health, safety and well-being of citizens from the environmental determinants, and this is achieved through enforcing the health requirements. In terms of the norms and standards for EH, health education in initiation schools should form an integral part of monitoring and evaluation, and this is found under the health surveillance of premises. The main argument raised by this paper is negligence of EHPs to conduct EH inspections at the Basotho male initiation schools and to promote health in support of the constitution of South Africa. Negligence of EHPs to perform their duties result in deaths and fatal injuries among initiates and this indicates the need for health promotion and EH research in the Basotho male initiation schools

Shielding as an effective engineering control for occupational exposure to MRI-related electromagnetic fields : a brief review

Abstract: Electromagnetic fields emitted by magnetic resonance imaging scanners are accountable for transient exposure-related health effects. The ferromagnetic objects attracted by strong magnetic fields are ascribed to injuries among patients with relatively no literature suggesting safety risks to MRI staff. Although ferromagnetic objects are ballistic, the benefits of shielding materials integrated with copper, aluminum, nickel polymers and carbon fiber are considered significant. This paper aimed to provide a brief review on how electromagnetic fields emitted by magnetic resonance imaging scanners could cause exposure-related effects as well as safety injuries from projectile effects and how such exposure scenarios can be eluded using various shielding methods. In this paper, shielding is recognized as an engineering approach that provides the most effective attenuation for electromagnetic fields in the magnetic resonance imaging facilities. Several studies suggest that shielding materials could be approached, either in a form of films, shield specific paint products or reactive shielding methods and in this paper, their significant role is discussed

A health and safety model for occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields and static magnetic fields from 1.5 and 3 T MRI scanners

Abstract: The exposure of MRI staff to SMFs and RF fields in the MRI units happen as a result of their induced movement in the MRI room during patients’ examination. Exposure to SMFs among health care workers has been associated with vertigo, nausea, increased heart rate, hypothermia and metallic taste in the mouth. The only known adverse effects associated with RF fields’ exposure include induced tissue heating, and the scientific arguments regarding non-thermal effects are inconclusive. The emission of MRI-related electromagnetic fields and exposure of workers to RF energy and SMFs can be reduced through implementation of reasonably practicable control measures. This study attempts to recommend the hierarchy of controls that can be implemented in the MRI units to reduce emissions and exposure of MRI staff to RF energy and SMFs. The controls are recommended based on exposure assessment conducted to quantify the exposure levels and self-reported priori-related and unrelated health consequences. In the MRI units, elimination is an impractical measure, hence, the implementation of engineering and administrative control measures as well as the utilisation of personal protective equipment (PPE) are recommended to mitigate exposure. Engineering controls include modification of MRI scanners to reduce emissions while administration controls include the design of work schedules and processes to be adaptive by MRI staff. PPE is recommended as a last resort and include protective equipment that are fit to reduce exposure arriving to workers. In South Africa, there is no legislation to assist in enforcing exposure limits and as a result, exposure levels are uncontrolled. The model of this kind could assist in reducing exposure levels in the MRI units and substantially reduce exposure-related effects amongst workers

Household fuel use and prevalence of reported allergic rhinitis in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract : Household air pollution (HAP) exposure caused by burning of solid fuels during cooking and heating is associated with adverse health impacts. Such effects include respiratory allergic reactions and asthma. Most households in South Africa use mainly firewood and animal biomass for cooking. The use of traditional fuel for cooking and heating has been associated with allergic rhinitis especially in rural areas of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted were 167 households were randomly selected after different locations were stratified. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions adopted from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Data was analysed using SPSS logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of household reported allergic rhinitis in the different locations were Bhubhane (64%), Mahlabatsini (53%), Masakeni (50%), Babrook (48%), KaJohn (34%) and KaDukies (23%). Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with the use of coal, wood and kerosene. We did not find any association between allergic rhinitis and the use of charcoal and animal dung. The study showed a high prevalence of household-reported allergic rhinitis amongst children in rural areas. The findings indicate the role of particulate matter from burning traditional fuel indoors as a risk factor to allergic rhinitis

Household fuel use and prevalence of reported allergic rhinitis in rural areas of Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract : Household air pollution (HAP) exposure caused by burning of solid fuels during cooking and heating is associated with adverse health impacts. Such effects include respiratory allergic reactions and asthma. Most households in South Africa use mainly firewood and animal biomass for cooking. The use of traditional fuel for cooking and heating has been associated with allergic rhinitis especially in rural areas of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted were 167 households were randomly selected after different locations were stratified. A questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions adopted from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. Data was analysed using SPSS logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of household reported allergic rhinitis in the different locations were Bhubhane (64%), Mahlabatsini (53%), Masakeni (50%), Babrook (48%), KaJohn (34%) and KaDukies (23%). Allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with the use of coal, wood and kerosene. We did not find any association between allergic rhinitis and the use of charcoal and animal dung. The study showed a high prevalence of household-reported allergic rhinitis amongst children in rural areas. The findings indicate the role of particulate matter from burning traditional fuel indoors as a risk factor to allergic rhinitis

Occupational exposure to static magnetic fields from MRI units in health care settings : a narrative review

Abstract : This paper provides an informed discussion on the state of occupational exposure to static magnetic fields emitted by MRI units, particularly from health care settings. The purpose is to create an understanding on the occupational health implications that develops as a result of exposure to electromagnetic fields from working with MRI scanners. The discussion is based on the biological effects, static magnetic fields exposure limits by ICNIRP, projectile effects based on the strength of the magnet and lastly the magnitude and extend to which MRI staff is exposed. In this review, the author recognizes that there is a shortage of literature that outlines the quantification of exposure from different MRI units when interventional examinations are performed. Furthermore, there is also a scarcity of information on the long-term health effects of exposure to static magnetic fields and the association between magnitude, frequency as well as duration of exposure

Occupational exposure to RF energy and SMFs in MRI units within Mangaung metropolitan region : a study protocol

Abstract: Through exposure assessments, many studies in American and European countries have associated exposure to static magnetic fields with transient health effects, RF fields with thermal effects and time varying magnetic fields with motion induced effects amongst MRI staff. Literature on the long-term health implications is inconclusive. In South African, MRI staff are exposed to electromagnetic fields from MRI scanners and no exposure assessments have been conducted to quantify the levels. The aim of this study is to investigate the exposure levels of SM and RF fields in MRI units, and to assess the health effects resulting from exposure to SM and RF fields among MRI staff. This study is cross sectional and descriptive in nature. Measurements will be collected from two 1.5 Ts and one 3 T scanners in two academic hospitals. A THM1176 3-Axis hall magnetometer will be used to quantify the exposure levels of SMFs while TM-196 3 Axis RF Field strength meter will be used to measure RF fields. The SMF measurements will be taken per distance interim; 1 and 2 m away from the scanners when brain, cervical spine and extremities are scanned. RF fields’ measurements will be collected 1 m away from the scanners when patients are examined. Questionnaires will be administered on 42 MRI workers works with 1.5 and 3T MRI scanners. Ethical clearance and permission have been obtained. Data will be analyzed by SAS version 9.2. Categorical and numerical data will be calculated, chi-square test will also be used to test for differences between proportions. ANOVA will be used to compare the mean values and Mann-Whitney U-test will be used to compare median values. A significance level (α) of 0.05 will be used. The results from this study will be used to inform health policies related to MRI fields’ exposures in South Africa and to inform hierarchy of control measures that aims to reduce exposure-related effects. The occurrence of exposure-related effects among MRI staff has not yet been extensively studied in South Africa, and this study seeks to provide the exposure scenarios in the South African health care settings

Fruits and vegetables contaminated with particles of heavy metals: A narrative review to explore the use of electromagnetic fields as an alternative treatment method

AbstractHeavy metal pollution is a growing problem in the world. Regardless of the amount of heavy metal concentration in the soil, heavy metals can be easily absorbed by vegetable roots and accumulate in high concentration in the edible parts of plants. Studies have been conducted to associate the application of electromagnetic fields to treat fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. Primarily, this paper provides knowledge on the use of electromagnetic fields to remove heavy metals from contaminated fruits and vegetables and subsequently to highlight health effects associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. In this paper, Google Scholar, PubMed, NCBI Science Direct, and Research Gate were utilized to conduct a literature search. Out of 72 articles, 51 were selected and used to compile this paper. A comparison of studies was conducted on the possible health effects of consuming fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. The application of electromagnetic fields to treat fruits and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals should be implemented as one of the methods necessary to remove heavy metals, as they are environmentally friendly and do not use chemical agents or microbiota

Noise exposure among dental assisting students from dental instruments during work-integrated learning : a review

Abstract: The purpose of the review is to provide the interlocution on the effects of noise on the hearing levels of dental assisting students from dental instruments during work-integrated learning. Primarily, this review provides knowledge on the health and safety within dental practices and laboratories where dental assisting students undergoing practical sessions and/or work- integrated learning and subsequently initiate and develop understanding on the effects on hearing levels. And to identify those dental instruments that have noise level which may potentiate the hearing levels of dental students. Exposure to high levels of noise has been a well-known cause of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Several studies have been completed to determine the effects of noise in dental schools for dental students. Moreover, research has implicated old drills and dental instruments as common causes of noise and this noise can be extremely high, up to 100dB occasionally, and exceeding recommended maximum levels. Many of studies have examined that noise found in a dental practices exceeds exposure limits guidelines..

Study Protocol to Determine Association between Environmental Triggers and Asthma among Children in King Williams Town

Asthma affects over 330 million people worldwide, with relatively higher disease burdens in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. The symptoms associated with asthma were reported to be prevalent in children from the period of 1993 to 2013, in many low- and middle-income countries, due to changes in environmental conditions, such as domestic lifestyle, and urban and industrial developments. (1) Background: Several studies have also shown that children are prone to a severe type of asthma, because of their narrow respiratory airways and susceptibility to irritation from environmental agents. This study aimed to assess the association between environmental exposure and asthma among children in King Williams Town, South Africa. (2) Methodology: This study adopted a cross-sectional design method, with an estimated sample size of 262 participants. The eligible study participants were enrolled while attending Grey hospital in King Williams Town, for asthma management. Information will be collected from eligible, stable participants, on asthma treatment, through in-person interviewing in 2021. A semi-structured questionnaire will be administered to the participants. However, as a result of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, data may be abstracted from the asthma medical record of the eligible participants. Multivariate regression will be utilized, to describe the correlation between the variables, and the odds ratio will be calculated as well. (3) Discussion and conclusion: The study will objectively identify the local environmental agents that are associated with asthma among children in King Williams Town, in order to reprioritize treatment and preventative strategies. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg