Abstract
Studies suggest that there is potential health risks due to indoor Radon exposure in houses proximal to gold mine tailings, this has led to careful considerations regarding housing and development planning for residential structures in gold mining communities. This study aimed to evaluate indoor Radon concentrations in homes located near gold mine tailings and was carried out in two local municipalities of the Lejweleputswa District: Matjhabeng Local Municipality and Tokologo Local Municipality. The study examines the following questions was to assess indoor Radon concentration among residents proximal to gold mine tailings in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Free State, South Africa. The following objectives were pursued; to determine the indoor Radon concentration in houses proximal to gold mine tailings, to determine the self-reported lung cancer risks among households residing proximal to gold mine tailings, and to establish the association between lung cancer and Radon concentration levels. Answers to these questions provide insights into the cognitive need for targeted Radon testing and mitigation efforts in high-risk areas. Moreover, public health campaigns should raise awareness about Radon exposure, particularly in communities living near mining operations.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology of this study was grounded in a quantitative approach, employing a cross-sectional study design. This specific design was chosen due to its effectiveness in capturing a snapshot of a population at a single point in time, which is particularly useful for identifying patterns and correlations among variables. By utilizing a quantitative strategy, the study aimed to gather data that could be quantified and analysed statistically, allowing for objective conclusions to be drawn. Two data collection tools were employed, a questionnaire and AlphaE Radon monitor with 201 participants from the age of 18 years and above participated in the study and completed a questionnaire upon providing consent. Of the 201 questionnaires, a total of 162 questionnaires were fully completed, providing a completion rate of 81%, 39 (19%) of the responses were excluded from the analysis due to incomplete data and inconsistencies. The largest proportion of participants, 26.5%, falls within the age
range of 45 to 54 years. Female participants constituted the majority, making up 59.9% of the total sample, while male participants accounted for 40.1% furthermore 26.0% of households were situated within 10–15 km, representing an intermediate range of proximity, while the smallest proportion, 9.0%, resides within the closest range of 0.1–10 km. This distribution suggests that although most households were located at a safe distance, a significant portion (35%) still live closer to the mine tailings and may face higher risks of Radon exposure. Scientific and ethical clearance from the University of Johannesburg to conduct the research was granted and permission from municipal managers across all study sites and participants was also granted.
RESULTS
The results of the Pearson's 2-tailed correlation analysis reveal important insights into the relationships between smoking behaviours and health outcomes associated with Radon exposure in households. The correlations between second-hand smoke exposure, as indicated by the presence of smokers in the household, and respiratory outcomes such as persistent cough (r = 0.240, p < 0.001) and shortness of breath (r = 0.191, p = 0.007) highlight the risks posed to non-smoking household members. The highest indoor Radon concentration at 397.20 Bq/m3 was measured in residential houses of Welkom, followed by Thabong residential area (359.34 Bq/m3). Based on this results there is clear evidence, Radon levels can accumulate, posing health risks. Radon, when inhaled, accumulates in the lungs, emitting alpha rays that can damage DNA in lung cells, increasing the risk of lung cancer with prolonged exposure.
CONCLUSION
The household’s proximity to mine tailings is a critical factor in determining environmental health risks, the proximity of numerous homes to gold mine tailings has sparked concerns about health and environmental rights. There was also a brief discussion on possible future research initiatives. This is primarily due to documented links between living near mine dumps and higher incidences of respiratory diseases like asthma, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis. Since it is now crucial to combat the negative effects of indoor radiation exposure on residents of communities close to gold mine tailings, the researcher set out to add to the body of knowledge on indoor radiation concentration in South Africa throughout this study.