Environmental and biological monitoring in the workplace: A 10-year South African retrospective analysis

Puleng Matatiele,Boitumelo Kgarebe,Lerato Mochaki,Boitumelo Dabula,Bianca Southon,Poobalan Poongavanum

doi:10.12688/aasopenres.12882.1

Abstract

This report is an overview of requests for biological and environmental monitoring of hazardous chemicals, submitted to the National Institute for Occupational Health, Analytical Services Laboratory for testing from the years 2005 to 2015. The report discusses the nature of tests requested and implications for workers’ health and environment, as well as potential impact of the uncertainties associated with monitoring of hazardous chemicals. This is a retrospective, descriptive, qualitative and quantitative audit of all samples received and tests performed retrieved from records of analysis by the laboratory. The study sample consisted of 44,221 samples. The report indicates that throughout the interrogation period the demand for biological monitoring was higher than that for environmental monitoring, with more requests for toxic metals than organic pollutants. Toxic metal testing was highest for mercury, followed by manganese, lead, aluminium and arsenic. The highest number of tests for organic pollutants was conducted for pesticides followed by toluene and xylene. The study has also revealed that the scope of tests requested is rather narrow and does not reflect the broad spectrum of South Africa’s industrial diversity. Having identified possible reasons for underutilization, a number of reforms that could enhance the laboratory’s performance have been addressed.

Highlights

Humans are exposed to hazardous chemicals in a variety of ways; mainly through diet and through the air that we breathe
Monitoring and surveillance are valuable tools enabling identification and tracking of exposures to hazards in the environment and their related health implications. It is through the results of monitoring and surveillance programs that it becomes possible for authorities to make sound and effective public and environmental health policies and interventions, as well as enabling employers to measure the efficacy of control measures
The current review focuses on the request for hazardous chemicals analysis in Analytical Services of the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) as markers of biological and environmental exposure in the workplace

Summary

Introduction

Humans are exposed to hazardous chemicals in a variety of ways; mainly through diet and through the air that we breathe (indoor, outdoor and occupational). Occupational exposure can occur through inhalation, absorption through the skin or ingestion, with the inhalation of vapours, dusts, fumes or gases being the route of highest exposure[1] Both biological and environmental monitoring can help in assessment of exposure to specific chemicals, characterization of exposure pathways and potential risks and their mitigation, and serve as elements of health surveillance that can be used in the assessment of the risks to health as an integral part of occupational and environmental health and safety programmes. Monitoring and surveillance are valuable tools enabling identification and tracking of exposures to hazards in the environment and their related health implications It is through the results of monitoring and surveillance programs that it becomes possible for authorities to make sound and effective public and environmental health policies and interventions, as well as enabling employers to measure the efficacy of control measures

Methods

Results

Conclusion