Exposure Assessment and Health Effects Due to Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

An African Perspective
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-81254-0
Verlag: CRC Press

Buch, Englisch, 94 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 314 g

This book describes and outlines exposure scenarios of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in occupational and residential settings within the African continent, where technological developments and mining activities are the main sources of radiation exposure. To better understand these exposure scenarios, this book focusses on all exposure aspects of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation from an African perspective.

This book

- Covers occupational and residential exposure to ionizing radiation emanat-ing from mining activities, particularly from an African perspective

- Explores exposure to radon and uranium from abundant mines and tailings

- Reviews non-ionizing radiation exposure assessments for communication and power sources

- Discusses health effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation among the general public

- Examines health effects of exposure to mining, electric utility, and communication device operations

This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in bioengineering and environmental health, and radiobiology.

Zielgruppe

Academic, Postgraduate, and Professional Reference

Autoren/Hrsg.

Rathebe, Phoka Caiphus

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umwelttechnik
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften
• Technische Wissenschaften Umwelttechnik | Umwelttechnologie Umwelttechnik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Contents

Preface. ix
Author Bio. xi

Chapter 1 Ionizing radiation exposure from various sources and activities in Africa: an overview. 1
1.1 Background of the chapter. 1
1.2 Known sources of radiation exposure in Africa. 2
1.2.1 Radon from mining. 2
1.2.2 Uranium from mining and power plants. 2
1.2.3 X-rays from healthcare sectors. 2
1.2.4 Ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun. 3
1.3 Ionizing radiation occupational exposures from mining, health, UV, and power generation activities in Africa. 3
1.3.1 Occupational radon exposure. 4
1.3.2 Occupational uranium exposure in mining and power plants. 4
1.3.3 Occupation UV exposure. 5
1.3.4 Occupational exposure to X-rays. 5
1.4 Methodologies to assess occupational ionizing radiation exposure. 6
1.4.1 Radon personal exposure assessments. 6
1.4.2 Uranium personal exposure assessments. 7
1.4.3 UV personal exposure assessments. 7
1.4.4 X-ray personal exposure assessments. 8
1.5 Conclusion. 9
References.10

Chapter 2 Ionizing radiation exposure from mine tailings.14
2.1 Background of the chapter.14
2.2 Overview of gold mine tailings in Africa.15
2.3 Proximity of gold mine tailings to residential structures.16
2.4 Overview of literature on radon and uranium residential exposure proximal to gold mine tailings.18
2.4.1 Radon.18
2.4.2 Uranium. 24
2.5 Findings from African studies. 24
2.6 Future studies. 29
2.7 Conclusion. 30
References. 30

Chapter 3 Non-ionizing radiation exposure assessments for communication and power sources. 36
3.1 Background of the chapter. 36
3.2 Overview of non-ionizing radiation exposure assessments from communication devices in Africa. 38
3.3 Overview of non-ionizing radiation exposure assessments from electric power sources in Africa. 44
3.4 Future studies.45
3.5 Conclusion. 46
References.47

Chapter 4 Health effects of ionizing radiation among the general public and workers. 50
4.1 Introduction of health effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to ionizing radiation. 50
4.2 Overview of health effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to ionizing radiation sources.51
4.3 Sources such as nuclear power plants, UV radiation, X-ray machines, gold mining, etc.53
4.3.1 Nuclear power plants. 53
4.3.2 Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. 54
4.3.3 X-ray machines. 54
4.3.4 Gold mining. 54
4.4 Review of studies on long-term effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to ionizing radiation.55
4.5 Review of studies on short-term effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to ionizing radiation. 56
4.6 Review of studies on risk perception of ionizing radiation sources among the general public and workers.57
4.7 Future studies.59
4.8 Conclusion. 60
References. 60

Chapter 5 Health effects of non-ionizing radiation among the general public and workers. 65
5.1 Introduction of health effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to non-ionizing radiation. 65
5.2 Overview of health effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to non-ionizing radiation sources. 66
5.3 Sources such as electric utility structures, telecommunication devices, and MRI. 68
5.4 Review of studies on long-term effects among the general public and workers’ exposure to non-ionizing radiation.70
5.5 Review of studies on risk perception of ionizing radiation sources among the general public and workers.71
5.6 Review of studies on risk perception of non-ionizing radiation sources among the general public and workers.73
5.7 Future studies.74
5.8 Conclusion.75
References.76

Index.79

Über Autor(innen)

Phoka Caiphus Rathebe is an emerging scientist and an NRF Y-rated scholar with a strong research focus on environmental and occupational health, and radiation exposure assessments. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Johannesburg. Rathebe holds multiple academic qualifications in Environmental Health from the Central University of Technology, Free State, including a National Diploma (cum laude, 2013), a BTech (cum laude, 2014), a Master of Health Sciences (cum laude, 2017), and a PhD (2021). His expertise extends beyond academia, as he actively reviews environmental and occupational health manuscripts for international peer-reviewed journals, IOP, and IEEE conferences.

As a dedicated researcher and supervisor, Rathebe mentors postgraduate students working on projects in occupational and environmental health. Since 2018, he has published over 60 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, contributing valuable insights to the field. His work continues to shape the discourse on radiation exposure and public health, particularly within the African context.