Health status of learners of educational institutions within Selebi Phikwe Ni-Cu mine area, Botswana

• Main Authors: Ekosse, G.E., De Jager, L., Van Den Heever, D.
• Other Authors: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 7, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein 2015
• Subjects: Death; Mining environment; Health status; Illnesses; Ni-Cu mining; Particulate air matter; Symptoms
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11462/533

Published Article === Health effects associated with Ni-Cu mining on learners living within the mining area at Selebi Phikwe were investigated through the administration of questionnaires. Results depicted learners suffering from a wide range of different symptoms and illnesses. 70% of the learners complained of coughs, 77% had influenza / common cold, and 80% had headaches. The repeated coughing, constant influenza / common cold and persistent headaches from which learners suffered, were very significantly higher than those at the control site; and incidences of their occurrence increased with closeness to the mining area. The unusual high occurrences of these ailments and illnesses coupled with associated diseases among learners were attributed to several environmental factors including contaminated particulate air matter (PAM) (rich in sulphur and heavy metals) linked to the mining and smelting of Ni-Cu.