ABSTRACT
Background: Asbestos mining and other activities have left a legacy of environmental contamination. Asbestos was used in a large number of manufactured products but little is documented about the nature and location of these products. Compliance with asbestos regulations depends on accurate identification of the presence of asbestos. The National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) has been identifying asbestos for regulatory purposes since 2003. Objective: To analyse a database of samples submitted for asbestos analysis to the NIOH. Methods: Asbestos was identified using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The data were analysed using STATISTICA version 11. Results: From 2003 to 2012; 1514 samples were analysed. Asbestos was identified in 59.9 of the bulk samples and crocidolite was present in 45.4 of these. Information about samples containing asbestos; including their origin and associated activities; are described. Conclusions: Although asbestos is no longer mined or used in South Africa; workers remain at risk of exposure due to asbestos-containing materials which persist in the environment. Knowledge of these materials gained from routinely collected data may assist in the safe removal of asbestos and prevent further adverse health =effects
Subject(s)
Asbestos , Data Collection , Environment and Public Health , Environmental Exposure , Environmental PollutionABSTRACT
Energy saving bulbs are promoted for their efficiency and capacity to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases; the acknowledged cause of global warming and climate change. They however contain varying quantity of mercury that can easily contaminate the environment. Mercury is a neuro-toxin; but damage has also been reported in the kidney; skin and the cardiovascular system. There is therefore an urgent need to emphasize the safe disposal of the energy-saving bulbs as their use increase in Nigeria. Recycling programme should be institutionalized; with the active participation of the manufacturers and importers of the bulbs; while education programme should be mounted on the handling and safe disposal of broken bulbs
Subject(s)
Disease Eradication , Education , Energy Transfer , Environmental Pollution , Mercury Poisoning , Nigeria , Plant RootsABSTRACT
"L'auteur passe en revue les principaux aspects de la toxicologie clinique et l'implication de cette derniere dans la resolution des problemes de sante individuelle et communautaire qui se posent avec acuite dans la societe moderne. En fait; l'on ne peut vivre sans chimie. Mais cette ""chimisation"" a outrance n'est pas sans danger pour la sante de l'homme. C'est ainsi que l'analyse toxicologique se revele efficace et necessaire pour la protection de la population"
Subject(s)
Environmental Pollution , Foodborne Diseases , Pharmaceutical Preparations/poisoning , Pharmaceutical Preparations/toxicityABSTRACT
La problematique de l'utilisation de l'amalgame dentaire est liee a l'intoxication mercuriell eet a la pollution de l'environnement.Nous avons mene une enquete au sein de 69 cabinets dentaires des secteurs prive et publique dans les regions de Dakar; Thies et Saint-Louis et au sein de services responsables pour deceler les comportements a risque de pollution mercurielle. Nos resultats ont revele une utilisation majoree du conditionnement en vrac de l'amalgame (69;6