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

摘要

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