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Highly-Polluted Olifants River

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Highly-Polluted Olifants River Final Report Lower Olifants Community Health: Risks and Opportunities Project CSIR, EUM, NOVA and SANParks 3/31/2014 Report summarising the full study results for work done between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2014 delivered as part of Deliverable 4 to the Department of Science and Technology on 31 March 2014 Additional components include: Poster (draft) Playing cards (to be delivered) Human health risk assessment training slides (on the website) Household questionnaire Preliminary flyers Communities living near the Olifants River face environmental pollution risks and their health may be threatened. Sound evidence is needed to determine these health risks and identify coping strategies to best protect human health. 0 Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. 5 1 Purpose and scope of this document ......................................................................................... 7 2 Introduction to the Lower Olifants Community Health Project ................................................. 8 2.1 Background to the project .................................................................................................. 8 2.2 Short project summary ....................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Purpose of the project ........................................................................................................ 8 3 Project planning .......................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Study sites selected ............................................................................................................. 9 3.2 Final site selection ....................................................................................................................... 15 3.3 Research ethics obtained ..................................................................................................... 17 4 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 18 4.1 Water, sediment and fresh produce sampling ..................................................................... 18 4.2 Human health risk assessment ......................................................................................... 19 4.3 Statistical analysis for the human health risk assessment ................................................ 20 4.3 Fish sampling and analysis .................................................................................................... 21 4.4 Ambient air quality assessment .............................................................................................. 23 4.5 Household survey among communities ............................................................................ 25 4.5.1 Structured interviews and questionnaire ................................................................................ 28 4.5.2 Quality control ......................................................................................................................... 28 4.5.3 Statistical analysis of community questionnaires .................................................................... 28 4.6 Focus group discussions ........................................................................................................ 28 5 Results and discussion .................................................................................................................. 32 5.1 Environmental monitoring ................................................................................................ 32 5.2 Health risk assessment based on consumption of water and vegetables ........................ 37 5.3 Results of E. coli tests on water samples .............................................................................. 44 5.4 Fish sampling results and discussion .................................................................................... 47 5.5 Air quality at the study sites ............................................................................................. 53 5.6 Results of the community surveys ........................................................................................ 59 5.7 Qualitative Focus Group results ........................................................................................ 73 6 Decision support tools .............................................................................................................. 82 7 Concluding remarks .................................................................................................................. 86 8 Project Team ............................................................................................................................. 90 1 9 References ................................................................................................................................ 91 10 Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 96 10.1 Appendix 1 ........................................................................................................................ 96 10.2 Appendix 2 ........................................................................................................................ 98 10.3 Appendix 3 ........................................................................................................................ 99 2 Executive Summary Wildlife deaths in the Lower Olifants River Catchment alerted scientists to possible serious environmental pollution problems. A multi-component, epidemiological study using a mixed methods approach was launched to generate a snap-shot view of the challenges faced by communities living in this region of the Lower Olifants. The aim was to collect empirical data to understand environmental pollution levels and assess potential human health risks. In addition, to contextualise this quantitative information, we carried out focus group discussions and in-depth site visits to get the best possible, holistic understanding of the challenges facing these communities, as well as the lived experiences and current ways in which they cope with environmental pollution and other related issues. Environmental exposure may be through various sources. People may be exposed to possible health impacts related to environmental contamination through the ingestion of contaminated produce and water, inhalation of contaminated air and / or through absorption through the skin (dermal absorption). Previous studies have shown that heavy metal contamination of fresh produce is a major concern. Heavy metals accumulate in plants either through uptake via the root from the soil, or by irrigation with contaminated water. Many studies have found that accumulation of trace metals in edible plants may pose a risk to human and animal health. Figure (i) demonstrates the various routes of potential human exposure to environmental contamination (WHO, 2010). Figure i. Conceptual exposure routes to humans (WHO, 2010) In this study, we found that personal exposure to environmental pollution, of varying concentrations, was via ingestion of contaminated water, fish, fruit and vegetables. Coping mechanisms applied by individuals included boiling water, and rinsing fruit and vegetables. While these are advisable strategies, they may not alleviate all of the risk, especially when the risk and the alleviation strategies are viewed within the context of the places in which it is studied. First and foremost, all communities in both countries should have continuous access to clean, piped water. Stored water should receive special attention: lids should be 3 used to cover openings; no one should ever drink directly from the scoop of the storage container; and containers should be washed frequently. Surface water was often found to be polluted from people throwing waste into the water, defecating in or near the water, and animals using the water source etc. It is of utmost concern that people are made aware of the full length of a river (i.e. upstream-downstream linkages) and the importance of keeping surface water clean, but providing viable options for alternatives are also necessary, for example, for appropriate waste disposal. Waste disposal is extremely important for personal hygiene. Options include burying of waste or burning of it, however, work is needed to engage with the communities to find out the best practicable solution in this regard. Burying waste may protect against air pollution and subsequent respiratory infections, as well as asthma, but may pose considerable health risks if for example children have access to the buried waste. In terms of health, the need for personal hygiene was of paramount importance. Encouraging the washing of hands and the body - with or without soap - regardless of water quality (especially after defecating) has proved to prevent diarrhoea/ disease. Education is but one of the necessary interventions needed to try to alter behaviour to ensure hygiene is a priority. Other interventions such as community agency building, culturally sensitive and participatory social welfare and upliftment programmes are also necessary.
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