Mine dumps pose serious health hazard
Elderly people living near mine dumps in South Africa could have an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, according to recent study.
The study, published in the South African Medical Journal, suggested that there was a relationship between proximity to mine dumps and health issues with people over the age of 55.
“Mine dumps are generally located in low-lying areas near mining sites, and dust particles or particulate matter are transported to nearby communities by air or by soil and water contamination.
“The results suggest that there was a high prevalence of comorbidity in exposed communities,” the article said.
The article further explained that elderly people were potentially highly susceptible to ambient air pollution because of normal and pathological ageing.
Vusumuzi Nkosi from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences and co-author of the study, explained that the mine dumps were sometimes uncovered or they weren’t properly vegetated.
“Winds blowing over them are causing dust air pollution in the nearby communities.
“The primary health concerns include chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases such as chronic cough, wheeze, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, arrhythmia, hypertension and myocardial infarction (heart attack),” said Nkosi.
The study looked at four mine dumps from Gauteng and one from North West province.
“According to our best knowledge, there are two strategies which are implemented to reduce air pollution, which is spraying the mine dumps with water and planting grass in the mine dumps.
“However, these two strategies seem not be a long-term solution. The grass quickly withers and mine dumps quickly absorb water during spraying and become dry again,” said Nkosi.
According to the article, the affected communities tended to be historically marginalised ethnic groups that lived in government-funded houses, informal settlements and retirement homes.