Spatial epidemiology risk assessment for rehabilitated former asbestos mining areas in Limpopo Province, South Africa, using remote sensing and conventional analytical methods

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis using remote sensing and conventional sample analysis to assess asbestos pollution in rehabilitated former asbestos mining areas. The study focused on the Mafefe and Mathabatha areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Field-based remote sensing techniques were used to spectrally differentiate various types of asbestos minerals in order to determine their efficacy in assessing asbestos pollution. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed for the identification and characterisation of traces of asbestos minerals in soil and water samples collected from the rehabilitated areas. The samples were also examined using in situ remote sensing. An Analytical Spectral Devices field spectrometer was used for spectral analysis of asbestos minerals and that of soil and water samples to compare and validate reflectance spectroscopy findings with laboratory results. Results show that in situ remote sensing techniques are able to reveal traces of asbestos minerals on rehabilitated dry surface areas, suggesting that they can play a significant role in monitoring the distribution of the asbestos minerals for epidemiological risk assessment. However, the spectral characteristics of asbestos minerals in the water medium were not as distinct as compared to laboratory methods. Overall, the results show potential for using remote sensing techniques in spatial epidemiology studies.