A study at the lead mining town of Aggeneys in the Northern Cape province showed that lead poisoning in children was more widespread in this town than in a nearby non-mining town.18 In 1990, concerns were raised over contamination and worker deaths at a mercury waste processing plant in the province of KwaZulu Natal.19 Recent studies continue to point to environmental contamination around the site, and elevated hair mercury levels in poor … Water-borne diseases such as Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E increase, while some of the water become so unclean that diseases such as: Typhoid fever, Leptospirosis, Schistosomiasis, and Bilharzia are transmitted through water contact. Through its work at the Medupi site, Eskom has succeeded in cementing environmental injustice in several ways, while its management knew all along what was going on.In South Africa, it is the poor who bear the brunt of poor air quality caused by coal-fired power stations. This Q&A provides a high level overview of environment law in South Africa and looks at key practical issues including emissions to air and water, environmental impact assessments, waste, contaminated land, and environmental issues in transactions. The continuous depleting and improper treatment of their natural resources have led Southern Africa to the state where they are. COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The environmental damage affects not only the population's health, but also the species that live in the area, while also contributing to the worldwide issue of climate change. CSIR Internal Document, Pretoria: CSIR. South Africa’s major public health concerns are HIV/AIDS, smoking-related diseases and tuberculosis, all of which affect the non-white population more than the white. During the winter, pollutants are trapped in the air due to the high pressure, and are unable to move or dissipate. South Durban has the largest concentration of petrochemical industries in the country, and it refines approximately 60 percent of South Africa’s petroleum. Water supply and sanitation in South Africa, "South Africa's multiple faces in current climate clubs", "Initial National Communication under the United Nations Framework; Convention on Climate Change", "Coal Mining on the Highveld and its Implications for Future Quality in the Vaal River System", "Urban air pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Time for action", "Background and Introduction to Air Pollution", Graph for the total primary energy supply in Africa in 2010, Graphs indicating South Africa's share of CO, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Environmental_issues_in_Southern_Africa&oldid=991113756, Articles with failed verification from April 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 November 2020, at 09:46. Waves of rapid urbanisation, VOL. When clean, excess water is released from the rock masses that are broken through mining, it's mixed with the sulphuric acid causing the water to become toxic. Using South African examples, the paper concludes with a synopsis of the gaps in policy and delivery drawing on the policy framework of the World Health Organisation, Health for All in the 21st Century. The purpose of this study on environmental health practices in South Africa was two-fold. Adding to the high demands, Durban’s dam has decreased by 20% since 2010,[5] and up to 30% of the water has either been stolen or given away illegally through international trading. diseases in South Africa include poor hygiene and sanitation practices due to lack of adequate sanitation. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. All sections in Environmental Health » 21st Century Life » FAQs ... Health24 is South Africa's premier health information website. Yasmi et al. This toxic, contaminated water kills plants and animals, while also dissolving aluminum and heavy minerals found in clean water (increasing toxicity level). Wright, C. (2009). South Durban is the industrial hub of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province. Jun. South Africa has mined its countryside for more than a century, and that long legacy of mining has taken a major toll on the country’s environment. Apart from that, the country is relatively free of major health problems, which is a surprise to some people, given Africa’s reputation as a continent riven by diseases and other health hazards. Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov, Get the latest research information from NIH: https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus, Find NCBI SARS-CoV-2 literature, sequence, and clinical content: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sars-cov-2/. There has been a renaissance in Environmental Health both in South Africa and internationally, which is based on new evidence of the inextricable link between people and the environment. In South Africa, the challenges of economic growth, job creation and effective service delivery are regarded as key to the long-term development of the country. For example, in this issue Okech (2010) finds that in Kenya environmental protection and management can create situations where ‘people become the victims of animals’ and then retaliate by killing animals for bushmeat or to protect their crops or cattle from disease and predators. Biodiversity . With the combination of alien plants and the exhaustion of their lands, Southern Africa's degraded land is beyond repair. [16] The role of insurance in the achievement of universal coverage within a developing country context: South Africa as a case study. The great barrier reef and the people trying to save it. Introduction: The provision of animal health services in a changing world. South African Environmental Justice struggles against "toxic" petrochemical industries in South Durban: The Engen Refinery Case. Twenty years after the fall of apartheid, social and economic disparities persist in South Africa and have a profound effect on the health of the population. [11], In this developing region, low-grade fuels are used to meet high demands for food, and energy.[3]. Cholera is an extreme diarrhoeal infection that leads to dehydration, and ultimately death if left untreated. WHO's programmes and initiatives on water and sanitation, vector-borne diseases, indoor air pollution, chemical safety, transport, ultraviolet radiation, nutrition, occupational health, food safety and injury prevention all address issues critical to improving environmental health. Many countries use the method of irrigation as a way to prevent desertification and droughts. Some environmental issues that affect Southern Africa are: water pollution, air pollution, land degradation, solid waste pollution, and deforestation. [8], South Africa is situated at the very tip of Southern Africa. Introduction to the guidelines 2 1.1 HIV epidemic in eastern and southern Africa 2 The nature and current distribution of some of the main environmental health problems in the country are rooted in the apartheid and colonial eras. With the increase of population, and an increase in people who are moving to urbanized areas, the number of solid waste produced is increasing. The Southern Africa region itself, except for South Africa,[1] produces less carbon emissions but is a recipient of climate change impacts characterized by changes in precipitation, extreme weather events and hot temperatures. Eutrophication increases algae blooms, which may cause illnesses such as: diarrhea, hayfever, skin rashes, vomiting, fevers, gastroenteritis, muscle and joint pains, and eye irritations. South Africa’s major public health concerns are HIV/AIDS, smoking-related diseases and tuberculosis, all of which affect the non-white population more than the white. Many of the insights highlighted are likely to parallel the experiences in other developing countries. South Africa is experiencing significant social and demographic challenges, including internal migration, unemployment, and poor health and educational outcomes. One example of these water borne illnesses is Cholera, which remains rife in Africa to this day. The Health of the People is the first report to focus on the health of the 738 million people living in the African Region of the World Health Organization. In the summer, due to the low pressure, pollutants are dissipated through unstable circulation. The OHSA gives workers certain rights and responsibilities in relation to health and safety in the workplace.It also requires the management of an organisation to set up safety committees, and to develop and implement certain safety measures in the workplace.. As an employee, however, it is also … The provision of basic environmental health services is acknowledged as an important factor impacting on the quality of living environments and the health of communities. No person in South Africa will go hungry. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SOUTH AFRICA SAHR KWIK SKWIZ SERIES summarises Chapter 10 of the 2013/14 South African Health Review. These include pollution, over-population, waste disposal, climate change, global warming, greenhouse effect, etc. NIH In South Africa, the challenges of economic growth, job creation and effective service delivery are regarded as key to the long-term development of the country. on the environment and human health in Africa have increased significantly during the last decade. [10], Southern Africa experiences poor ambient and indoor air quality. The environment is made up of many facets, that are interlinked often in baffling ways. My Bookings; Videos; Event Archive Search for: Attend. [2] Climate change and its attendant effects on temperature and precipitation may have an additional impact. But that climate is set to change for the worse because of rising global emissions of greenhouse gases. Our environment is a complex mix of physical, chemical and biological factors that influence us and ultimately determines our form of survival. | FAQs. Environmental health Environmental health is a dynamic and evolving field. South African environmental law encompasses natural resource conservation and utilization, as well as land-use planning and development. National Center for Biotechnology Information, Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. South Africa’s Air Quality Act of 2004 put in place various measures for the prevention of pollution and national norms and standards for the regulation of air quality in the country. Water requirements could increase by about 50% by 2030 (Department of Water and Forestry, 2000a).”[2], Although South Africa has of the best, cleanest water out of all the countries in Southern Africa, many don’t have access to basic sanitation. World Health Organisation (2006). Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa (it is in the middle of South Africa). Transformation of the environmental health service in SA remains incomplete; for example, devolution of environmental health to local government is unfinished in several provinces. South Africa’s Karoo region has been in the headlines in recent years because of the ..... 19. South Africa has mined its countryside for more than a century, and that long legacy of mining has taken a major toll on the country’s environment. South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism estimates that over half of the population of South Africa lack "adequate" solid waste treatment,[3] instead, waste is often dumped, buried or burned.[13]. It is poor, black citizens who live on the most damaged land and in the most polluted neighbourhoods. However, these studies tended to be concentrated on the effects of mining and mineral processing at national levels and in specific mining districts without taking into account the overall impact on larger hydrological and environmental domains across the continent. Southern Africa's log, and produce are the cores of their economy, and this region has become dependent on these resources. Other sources of environmental issues in South Africa include agricultural practices and a lack of inland water. Duplication of institutional functions and responsibilities existed, with unclear role definitions in some cases. Linked to biodiversity conflicts are natural resource management (NRM) conflicts. [12] Highveld areas are above sea level, making the oxygen level 20% less than the oxygen level in the coast. South African environmental law describes the legal rules in South Africa relating to the social, economic, philosophical and jurisprudential issues raised by attempts to protect and conserve the environment in South Africa. Share this article: Share Tweet Share Share Share Email Share. According to the National Wildlife Federation, biodiversity is essential to the health of the planet. There are a range of environmental issues in Southern Africa, such as climate change, land, water, deforestation, land degradation, and pollution. This Q&A provides a high level overview of environment law in South Africa and looks at key practical issues including emissions to air and water, environmental impact assessments, waste, contaminated land, and environmental issues in transactions. Dev South Afr. It consists of countries such as: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Acid rain . Eskom is South Africa's sole energy utility, and is responsible for Medupi construction. | Many women are also cooking indoors with fossil fuels, which is the main cause for the health problems in women and children. Deforestation has become one of the major factors, which is affecting the ecological balance of not only Africa, but of the entire world. A recent international study has shown that South Africa – in terms of its environmental impacts – has one of the worst track records. It is not surprising that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV became additional markers of the longstanding poor health of the black majority, despite the availability of modern drug treatments. [6] A majority of Southern Africa's accessible water is unclean, making the water vulnerable for water transmitted diseases to exist. Aerosol . I started this site as a forum which became very popular very fast. Afforestation . The national context of change, which includes a new focus on development, a redefined role for local government and an accelerated effort to address the imbalances and legacy of apartheid, is outlined. This research analysis will focus mainly on South Africa, showing a list of the different issues found in South Africa, as well as listing the ways in which they affect the country in both the business and environmental sectors. Southern Africa consists of countries such as: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Environmental risk factors in South Africa From an environmental health perspective, South Africa has had a turbulent history. Despite certain areas of progress in the country since 1994, disparities in wealth and health are among the widest in the world. A good understanding of the legislation that surrounds the occupational health and safety policy in South Africa may be the difference between a high risk and risk-free work environment for your business.. The word 'health' brings many things to mind. The provision of basic environmental health services is acknowledged as an important factor impacting on the quality of living environments and the health of communities. Moving with the times it evolved into a blog and still one of the most highly regarded and influential sources of environmental news serving both South Africa, Africa and the World. If the disease runs its course, it can kill within hours. The African Regional Health Report: The Health of the People. Jan. Buy Nothing Day – Participate by not participating. [2] Less than 10% of Southern Africa's surface water is accessible [3] and due to the fact that a majority of their groundwater lay under large rock formations, groundwater becomes difficult to access as well. Environmental Issues of South Africa. Guidelines for Integrating HIV and Gender-Related Issues into Environmental Assessment In Eastern and Southern Africa Contents Preface ii Foreword iv Acknowledgementsv Acronyms and abbreviations vi Glossary and definitions viii 1. Our Environment South Africa ©Jean Tresfon. Although rocks which contain calcium carbonate are able to neutralize the acidic water, Southern Africa does not have the rocks which contain these minerals. Corona Virus(COVID-19) Pandemic. South Africans face a range of preventable environmental hazards to their health, many of which are rooted in the country's colonial and apartheid past, and ongoing poverty and inequality. The provision of basic environmental health services is acknowledged as an important factor impacting on the quality of living environments … Unfortunately, only 4% of Sub-Saharan Africa is equipped for irrigation. Maintaining good health involves eating right, exercising, vaccinations against diseases, and visiting your doctor regularly. [14] Through time, soil erosion will result in harvesting alien plants. Poor air quality has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including SIDS, lung cancer, and COPD. Africa itself is located in an area where climate is unpredictable, making them vulnerable to climate change and while Southern Africa is semi-arid, it puts them at risk for desertification. There are many examples of environmental issues, some of which are interrelated, including climate changes and biodiversity. Through an attempt of keeping up with the developing world and trying to meet the high demands of the growing population, Southern Africa has exhausted its many resources resulting in severe environmental damage. [4] “A review of water availability in 1996 estimated that the total average annual surface runoff was 150 million cubic metres, the maximum potential annual system yield was 33 290 million cubic metres, and total water annual requirements were 20 045 million cubic metres. The legacy of apartheid means that, in South Africa, the severity and scale of those challenges are frequently amplified. Introduction. Diseases can be reduced by improving water quality and sanitation and increasing access to adequate water and sanitation facilities. Most South African crops are grown in areas that are only just climatically suitable and with limited water supplies. 1996 a,b)”. This results in an incomplete combustion of fossil fuels,[12] and a severe nocturnal temperature inversion to occur; which results in smoke being trapped in the air [10] 860 tons of SO2 is produced from 3 of their main power stations (Matla, Duvha and Arnot),[12] “which exceeds the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) [exposure to particulate matter] standards of 180 mg.m-3 by 6 to 7 times during winter months (Annegarn et al. Land degradation, including overgrazing, is regarded as one of the main environmental problems in southern Africa (Darkoh, 2009). Nitrates and phosphates found in fertilizers and sewage wastes causes eutrophication, which is harmful to other species in the environment. range of environmental health issues efficiently. It first attempted to articulate what the “ideal” ought to be regarding the legal, professional and ethical practice of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in South Africa. Although restrictions on the movement and settlement of people within South Africa were lifted 20 years ago, research suggests that patterns of temporary urban migration persist, Climate change is also causing an increase in water evaporation from the soil, making it very difficult for produce in Southern Africa. Biomass . facilities, poor management of waste, pollution of water and contaminated ambient air. times in South Africa in biodiversity (including ecosystems and species), our ground and surface waters are polluted; our use of land is often inefficient; and our air quality is not improving. 1991 Feb;8(1):19-34. doi: 10.1080/03768359108439567. It also authorizes the Minister of Environmental Affairs to enforce its provisions through the issuance of policy documents and regulations. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-S1-S5. Many environmental issues affect Southern Africa due to urbanization and the acts needed in order to survive. 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