Publications by authors named "Phoka Caiphus Rathebe"

Introduction: The sun is one of the primary natural sources of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and a known human carcinogen. It has been related to melanoma and several skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers are prevalent in South Africa, with high reported incidence rates in both genders.

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Background: Radon (Rn) is a radioactive gas with well-established carcinogenic properties. It is a significant contributor to natural background ionizing radiation exposure, accounting for over 50 % of human exposure. Prolonged exposure to radon gas has been conclusively linked to various health issues such as lung cancer, leukemia, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).

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Introduction: daily, workers in beauty salons and parlors use different cosmetic products made of various chemicals. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, practices, and self-reported health outcomes related to chemical use and safety among workers in beauty salons and parlors.

Methods: a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 145 participants, randomly selected using a simple random sampling design.

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Food fraud (often called fake food in South Africa) the deliberate misrepresentation or adulteration of food products for financial gain, is a growing problem in South Africa (SA) with severe public health and financial consequences for consumers and businesses. The recent public outcry against food fraud practices especially in communities that have lost loved ones due to the consumption of allegedly adulterated foodstuffs, highlights the grave danger that food fraud poses to consumers and the potential for significant reputational damage to food manufacturers. Despite the risks, food fraud often goes undetected, as perpetrators are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Radon is a carcinogen, and accurately assessing indoor levels is crucial for designing effective mitigation strategies; while long-term testing is best for reliability, short-term testing (STT) is faster and cheaper.
  • - A review of 20 studies found that STT can accurately predict annual radon averages, especially with minimum tests of four days; however, accuracy diminishes at moderate to high radon levels, making long-term testing necessary in those cases.
  • - Seasonality affects STT accuracy, with winter months offering a better representation, and further research is needed to standardize radon testing methods between Europe and the United States.
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Radon is a naturally occurring noble radioactive gas that poses significant health risks, particularly lung cancer, due to its colorless, odorless, and tasteless nature, which makes detection challenging without formal testing. It is found in soil, rock, and water, and it infiltrates indoor environments, necessitating regulatory standards and guidelines from organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, and the Occupational Health and Safety Agency to mitigate exposure. In this paper, we present various methods and instruments for radon assessment in occupational and environmental settings.

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Gold mine tailings, a legacy of the mining industry, harbors significant amount of radon gas, a classified human carcinogen. Radon exposure, especially near tailings, is a significant public health threat, potentially leading to increased risk of lung cancer, leukemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These health problems are often associated with lower survival rates and significant financial burdens.

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This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude, and practices towards Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among maintenance and administration workers in selected health facilities in the Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to select 250 participants. Maintenance workers were populated within the age range of 26-35 years, being more than administrative personnel (COR 1.

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Annually, an estimate of 2.3 million workers die prematurely due to occupational injuries and illnesses. In this study, a risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the compliance of 132 kV electric distribution substations and proximal residential areas with the South African occupational health and safety Act 85 of 1993.

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