title: Human health risks posed by exposure to PM10 for four life stages in a low socio-economic community in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mine ash dumps, industries and domestic fuel use have a great impact on air quality and PM10 (particles with a diameter equal to or less than 10 μm) is a pollutant of particular concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  The objective of this study was to assess the human health risks posed by exposure to PM10 among a low socio-economic community. The Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) framework (i.e. hazard assessment, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization) was applied. PM10 concentrations were monitored for one month during winter and summer, respectively. A HHRA was conducted to assess whether the community was exposed to PM10 concentrations that may pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generally, the residents were exposed to higher concentrations of PM10 during winter than summer, resulting in a higher risk to health during winter. Results of the HHRA showed that infants were exposed to a higher dose of PM10 than the other life stages when exposed to the same concentration due to differences in inhalation rates and the ratio between inhalation and body weight. However, they were at the same risk of developing adverse effects from exposure to the same concentration of PM10 as the other life stages were exposed to, because the 'safe' dose was also higher for infants and since all life stages, in general, are similarly affected by PM unless the chemical composition of the PM is known.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study recommends that infants and children, in particular, should not be exposed to air pollution from domestic fuel burning as one positive step to try and reduce their dose.
authors.affiliation: Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Health, Private Bag X680, Pretoria. 0001. South Africa.
authors.forename: Nomsa Duduzile Lina
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Thabethe
authors.affiliation: Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Health, Private Bag X680, Pretoria. 0001. South Africa.
authors.forename: Jacobus Christoffel
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Engelbrecht
authors.affiliation: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Climate Studies, Modelling and Environmental Health, P.O Box 395, Pretoria, 0001. South Africa.
authors.forename: Caradee Yael
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Climate Studies, Modelling and Environmental Health, P.O Box 395, Pretoria, 0001. South Africa.
authors.forename: Maria Aletta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oosthuizen
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*; D011203:Poverty; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012621:Seasons; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Air pollution; community; exposure; human health risk assessment