APPLICATION OF HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT MODELS TO SOUTH AFRICAN CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT

South Africa is characterised by a mix of air pollution problems associated with urban-industrial activities and the domestic use of biofuels, both of which have negative human health impacts. The recent promulgation of new air quality legislation with an emphasis on the control of air pollution for the protection of public health, increases the need for studies aimed at assessing human health effects. One such approach is the widely used United States Environmental Protection Agency Health Risk Assessment (HRA) framework. Based on empirical data collected for South African conditions, it is shown that it is of critical importance to have locally derived exposure values rather than default values. This can shift an outcome from one of no risk to one of severe health risk. It is concluded that the HRA framework provides a rapid and simple method for assessing health risk, provided cognisance is taken of certain local input parameters, in particular exposure values.