Mine dumps, wheeze, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents in South Africa: any association?

Int J Environ Health Res. 2015;25(6):583-600. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2014.989493. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

Abstract

The study investigated the association between community proximity to mine dumps, and current wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma among adolescents. This study was conducted during May-November 2012 around five mine dumps in South Africa. Communities in close proximity to mine dumps had an increased likelihood of current wheeze OR 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.10-1.71), rhinoconjunctivitis OR 1.54 (95 % CI: 1.29-1.82), and a protective association with asthma OR 0.29 (95 % CI: 0.23-0.35). Factors associated with health outcomes included other indoor and outdoor pollution sources. Wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis appear to be a public health problem in these communities. The findings of this study serve as a base for further detailed epidemiological studies for communities in close proximity to the mine dumps e.g. a planned birth cohort study.

Keywords: South Africa; adolescents; asthma; mine dumps; rhinoconjunctivitis; wheeze.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / chemically induced
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Conjunctivitis / chemically induced
  • Conjunctivitis / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dust / analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mining
  • Prevalence
  • Respiratory Sounds* / etiology
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Waste Disposal Facilities*

Substances

  • Dust

Grants and funding

Funding for the field survey came from the Mine Health Safety Council (MHSC) and National Research Fund – Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (NRF – DAAD).