Landfill gas to energy (LFGE) projects were implemented in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) to diversify the energy mix and transition to a green economy. This study provides an overview of the status of LFGE in RSA and identifies major factors that inhibit the adoption and utilization of this technology, using existing data from 2010–2020 from electronic databases, namely, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, Sage Open, Springer Link, Sabinet, and IEEE Xplore, and using a combination of keywords and Boolean functions. This study revealed that, although RSA has made significant progress in the adoption and utilization of landfill gas (LFG) through the seventeen (17) planned LFGE projects, only six (6) are operational and generate 15 MW of electricity supplied to the local grid in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Gauteng Province. The waste-to-energy (WtE) sources such as LFGE are not given priority, and the country continues to invest in coal-fired power stations, owing to the abundance, availability, and low cost of coal reserves, which will supply coal for the next 200 years. The study identified factors inhibiting LGFE projects in RSA, which included the lack of sanitary landfill sites, LFG monitoring, funding, skills, research, and development. Potential LFGE in RSA is evident, however, except for limited processing facilities, economic investment, and public awareness. Suggestions for further research on the techno-economic and policy assessments are provided in the study. This study contributes to synthesizing evidence of the status of LFGE, insights on state-of-the-art technologies of WtE and the associated challenges in the waste management sector, identifying the potential for LFGE, and LFGE in the circular economy, and building a foundation for future research on WtE such as LFGE. Moreover, it also offers a reference for policymakers, decision-makers, researchers in the waste management sector on the technologies of WtE, LFGE, and potential to reduce waste generated.

Exposure to indoor PM_2.5 is associated with allergies, eye and skin irritation, lung cancer, and cardiopulmonary diseases. To control indoor PM_2.5 and protect the health of occupants, exposure and health studies are necessary. In this study, exposure to PM_2.5 released in an academic metallurgy workshop was assessed and a health risk assessment was conducted for male and female students and technicians. Polycarbonate membrane filters and an active pump operating at a flow rate of 2.5 L/min were used to collect PM_2.5 from Monday to Friday for 3 months (August–October 2020) from 08:00–16:00. PM_2.5 mass concentrations were obtained gravimetrically, and the Multiple‐Path Particle Dosimetry model was used to predict the deposition, retention, and clearance of PM_2.5 in the respiratory tract system. The risk of developing carcinogenic and non‐carcinogenic effects among students and technicians was determined. The average PM_2.5 mass concentration for August was 32.6 μg/m³ 32.8 μg/m³ for September, and 32.2 μg/m³ for October. The head region accounted for the highest deposition fraction (49.02%), followed by the pulmonary (35.75%) and tracheobronchial regions (15.26%). Approximately 0.55 mg of PM_2.5 was still retained in the alveolar region 7 days after exposure. The HQ for male and female students was 1, suggesting that technicians are at risk of developing non‐carcinogenic health effects compared with students. The results showed a risk of developing carcinogenic health effects among male and female technicians (>1 × 10⁻⁵); however, there was no excess cancer risk for students (<1 × 10⁻⁶). This study highlights the importance of exposure and health studies in academic micro‐environments such as metallurgy workshops which are often less researched, and exposure is underestimated. The results also indicated the need to implement control measures to protect the health of the occupants and ensure that the workshop rules are adhered to.

This study evaluated the state of environmental health in the Republic of South Africa using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis framework. The internal and external factor evaluations were conducted by reviewing existing literature searched using a combination of keywords and boolean functions. The weighted score for the strengths and weaknesses was 0.79 and 1.04, respectively. The external factor evaluations findings revealed that environmental health has an equal amount of threats and opportunities, however, the threats outweigh the opportunities. The total weighted score for the internal and external factor evaluations was 1.83 and 2.25, respectively, which were below the average value of 2.5. The internal-external factors matrix indicated that environmental health in the Republic of South Africa needs to be refocused and re-aligned to public health protection. Failure to address the weaknesses and threats and optimise the strengths and opportunities may further weaken the provision of environmental health services.

Particulate matter (PM) of different sizes and elemental composition is a leading contributor to indoor and outdoor air pollution in residential areas. We sought to investigate similarities between indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 in three residential areas near a ferromanganese smelter in Meyerton to apportion the emission source(s). Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 samples were collected concurrently, using GilAir300 plus samplers, at a flow rate of 2.75 L/min. PM_2.5 was collected on polycarbonate membrane filters housed in 37 mm cassettes coupled with PM_2.5 cyclones. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the morphology, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy was used to analyse the elemental composition of the PM_2.5. Mean indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 mass concentrations were 10.99 and 24.95 µg/m³, respectively. Mean outdoor mass concentration was 2.27-fold higher than the indoor concentration. Indoor samples consisted of irregular and agglomerated particles, ranging from 0.09 to 1.06 µm, whereas outdoor samples consisted of irregular and spherical particles, ranging from 0.10 to 0.70 µm. Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 were dominated by manganese, silicon, and iron, however, outdoor PM_2.5 had the highest concentration of all elements. The ferromanganese smelter was identified as the potential main contributing source of PM_2.5 of different physicochemical properties.

This systematic review explores the release and health outcomes of exposure to chalk particles in classrooms. A literature search was conducted on Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science. Chalk particles contribute significantly to poor indoor air quality in classrooms. Higher concentrations of PM_2.5 chalk particles were found in the front row (14.25 µg/m³) and near the chalkboard (19.07 µg/m³). Inhalation and dermal are significant exposure routes; hence, teachers and learners are at risk of developing respiratory and skin disorders. Inhalation of chalk particles correlates with reduced lung function in teachers and learners. The release and size of chalk particles depend on the activities, type of chalk sticks, and texture of the chalkboards. Wiping the chalkboard releases more chalk particles of smaller size (3.85-9.3 µm) than writing (10.57-92.91 µm). A shift from chalk sticks and chalkboards in classrooms is necessary to mitigate the associated health risks.

A cross-sectional study involving 239 teachers from 44 public secondary schools was conducted using an online questionnaire. Most teachers (95%) had never received training on exposure to chalk particles, and 76% did not take precautionary measures. Teachers opened windows (20%), frequently washed their hands (16%), and opened doors (15%) to reduce exposure. Despite the lack of training, most teachers (88%) recognised that exposure to chalk particles poses health risks. Most teachers (51%) knew that exposure to chalk particles could occur through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes. Chi-squared results indicated no significant differences (p > 0.05) in teachers' age, sex, and work experience regarding their knowledge of exposure to chalk particles. A work experience of 25-30 years was linked to knowledge (AOR: 1.04, CI: 0.27-4.17, p < 0.05). Coughing (19%), throat discomfort (16%), nasal congestion (11%), and headaches (10%) were the most prevalent health symptoms. Work experience of 5-10 (AOR: 3.58, CI: 1.64-8.27, p < 0.05), 15-20 (AOR: 4.76, CI: 1.77-15.25, p < 0.05), and 25-30 (AOR: 3.69, CI: 1.23-13.77, p = 0.03) years was associated with experiencing health symptoms. Due to a lack of training and awareness, teachers unknowingly implemented measures to reduce exposure to chalk particles.