AN ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OF SMELTER EMISSIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH: A CASE-STUDY OF SELEBI-PHIKWE BCL COPPER-NICKEL MINE IN BOTSWANA
Keywords:
HUMAN HEALTH, BOTSWANA, COPPER-NICKELSynopsis
The general objective of the study was to ascertain the relationship between smelter emissions and human health in and around Selebi-Phikwe. In Botswana BCL mine in Selebi-Phikwe is the leading producer of gaseous emissions in the country. The area of study consisted of locations in the town of Selebi-Phikwe and the surrounding villages, which were Mmadinare to the west, Bobonong and Tobane to the east, and Sefophe to the south. According to Ekosse (2004) there were high incidence rates of respiratory cases such as coughs and common colds recorded in the local health facilities. However it had not yet been shown that occurrence of respiratory diseases was due to smelter emissions from the mine. Therefore the undertaken study was to test the hypothesis whether there was a relationship between production of gaseous emissions from BCL copper-nickel
mine and respiratory case load relative to distance and direction of plume movement. This was in line with the recommendation made by Asare (1999), who suggested the need for a health impact research in Selebi-Phikwe. The undertaken project was conducted by means of a social survey whereby a household survey was conducted using systematic sampling and a formula by Yamane (1967:886) was used to calculate the sample size. Secondary data on respiratory related diseases in health facilities and key informant interviews were also key sources of information. Data collected was subjected to both qualitative and appropriate quantitative analysis tools.
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Published
February 12, 2009
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Copyright (c) 2009 CODESRIA Books Publication System
