Browsing Environmental Health by Title
Previous Page
Now showing items 3-6 of 6
-
Mmualefe, L.C.; Torto, N.; Huntsman-Mapila, P.; Mbongwe, B. (Elsevier Ltd, http://www.elsevier.com/locate/microc, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was optimized for the analysis of pesticides with gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Factors influencing the extraction efficiency such as fiber type, extraction mode and temperature, effect of ionic strength, stirring and extraction time were evaluated. The lowest pesticide concentrations that could be detected in spiked aliquots after HS-SPME–GC-ECD ranged from 0.0005 to 0.0032 μg L−1. Consequently hexachlorobenzene, trans-chlordane, 4,4′-DDD and 4,4′-DDE were detected in water samples after HS-SPME at concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 61.4 μg L−1 that are much higher than the 0.1 μg L−1 maximum limit of individual organochlorine pesticides in drinking water set by the European Community Directive. The same samples were cleaned with ISOLUTE C18 SPE sorbent with an optimal acetone/n-hexane (1:1 v/v) mixture for the elution of analytes. No pesticides were detected after SPE clean-up and pre-concentration. Precision for both methods was satisfactory with relative standard deviations less than 20%. This work demonstrated the superiority of HS-SPME as a sample clean-up and pre-concentration technique for pesticides in water samples as well as the need to identify and control point sources of pesticides. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/851 Files in this item: 1
Mbongwe_MJ_2009.pdf (786.8Kb) -
Ekosse, G.; Jager, L.; Van den Heever, D.J. (African Forum of Health Sciences http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/article/view/30803/23134, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This study determines the prevalence of types of sicknesses and diseases affecting patients vising health service facilities and the available health services within the Selebi Phikwe Ni-Cu area, Botswana.Through the administration of the questionnaires and structured questions, attempts were made to establish and verify the existing human health problems at the study area by focusing on respiratory tract related symptoms of sicknesses and diseases.With the aid of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), interpreted results from respondents indicated that all the health service providers served patients suffering from headaches, persistent coughing, chest pains, lower abdominal pains, pain when passing out urine, genital discharge and diarrhea.Seventy one percent of the health service providers indicated that their patients who suffered from recent loss of body weight, and another 86 % pointed out that their patients had influenza/common cold. Other health complaints reported included unusual spitting, shortness of breath, palpitations, neausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Moreover the health service providers indicated that they had patients who suffered from significant illnesses of which some passed away. However, if they are lacking facilities, patients are referred to bigger health service providers in the country. The findings of the study do not general depict demarcating differnces of health status of residents of the study area to those of the control site. A need therefore for further investigations to be conducted to establish relations of mining activities to human health at Selebi Phikwe is called for. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/425 Files in this item: 1
Ekosse_AJHS_2005.pdf (1.623Mb) -
Mbongwe, B.; Mmereki, B.T.; Magashula, A. (Elsevier Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/404/description#description, March 12, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Healthcare waste management continues to present an array of challenges for developing countries, and Botswana is no exception. The possible impact of healthcare waste on public health and the environment has received a lot of attention such that Waste Management dedicated a special issue to the management of healthcare waste (Healthcare Wastes Management, 2005. Waste Management 25(6) 567-665). As the demand for more healthcare facilities increases, there is also an increase on waste generation from these facilities. This situation requires an organised system of healthcare waste management to curb public health risks as well as occupational hazards among healthcare workers as a result of poor waste management. This paper reviews current waste management practices at the healthcare facility level and proposes possible options for improvement in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/223 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Ekosse, G.; De Jager, L.; Van den Heever, D.J. (AJOL http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/article/view/30799/23130, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This study aimed at establishing occurrences of chest pains and frequent coughing among different classes of residents within Selibe Phikwe, Botswana where there are on going nickel-copper mining and smelting activities. Through the administration of questionnaires and structured question to 600 individuals, 7 health service providers, 200 business enterprises, and 30 educational institutions, attempts were made to establish and verify the existing human health status at Selebi Phikwe by focusing on chest pains and frequent coughing which are considered to be some of the respiratory tract related symptoms of sicknesses and diseases. With the aid of statistical package of social sciences (SPSS), interpreted results from respondents indicated that 33% of the individuals complained of persistent chest pains, and 27% of educational institutions, 45% business enterprises, and all health service providers had learners, workers, and patients who complained of chest pains. Furthermore, 49% of the individuals complained of persistent frequent coughing; and 70% of educational institutions, 45% business interprises, and all health service providers had learners, workers, and patients who complained of frequent coughing. According to study sites, respondents living in sites closest to the mine and smelter/concentrator plant reported a higher incidence of chest pains and frequent coughing, compared to those living in other parts of the study area. Residents associated fumes and dust from mining activities to the frequent coughing and persistent chest pains, which could be symptoms of respiratory tract diseases. This baseline investigation calls for further studies to establish relations of mining activities to human health at Selebi Phikwe. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/379 Files in this item: 1
Ekosse_AJHS_2005.pdf (2.243Mb)
Previous Page
Now showing items 3-6 of 6