No abstract

An increase in global population is coupled with intensive growth in residential development. This has resulted to development in land that is unsuitable for occupancy generating negative consequences to the surrounding communities in the long run. In line with the above the study intended to determine if the implementation of EIA regulations in the construction of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses, which are in close proximity to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was adequately followed in Newcastle. It is essential that an EIA is carried out to determine significant impacts early in the project cycle so that recommendations can be built into the design without causing major negative impacts in the future. The study was to identify possible health effects which are attributed to the proximity of the WWTP to the residential area. This study involved participants who resided in close proximity to the site, those who are located five kilometers away, the healthcare givers and the municipality officials. About 68.0% of the respondents believe that the WWTP has negative effects on their lives while 36.0% said the WWTP has negative effects on the environment. The outcome of this study revealed that EIA regulations were not adequately implemented and that this residential site was unsuitable for the construction of RDP houses. The study further reveals that public participation is not highly considered yet high participation from the public leads to a comprehensive and better decision making. It also safeguards against bad or politically motivated decisions. The dominant civic organization has also been weakened when influential leaders were co-opted into the leadership structure of the local authority since they were in alliance with the ruling party. The need and pressure to meet election promises could have also blindsided the new political elites, which led them to ignore their own regulations. It's crucial that developers look at the KwaMathukuza case study to see how poor EIA practice can affect economic, social, morbidity and mortality risks, cumulative and intergenerational effects, and broader determinants of health which could have been avoided.

This study investigated the possible health impacts a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) will have on a community that reside near it. The study area was a low cost housing residential area within the Newcastle municipality in South Africa due to its close proximity to a WWTP. The data was acquired through informal interviews, questionnaires and observations. The participants were recruited mainly from the residents who resides about 5.0 km from the plant, local health caregivers, municipality official and the local government management.A survey of the study area showed no other possible source of the odorous gases except the WWTP. About 97.0% of respondents have smelt the bad odour that is probably released from the plant. The results also indicates that a significant number of people suffer from headaches, vision, olfactory and breathing problems which could be linked to the nearby WWTP. It was also discovered that the respondents who are at a distance of more than 5.0 km from the WWTP were also negatively impacted by the gases as the residents who are within 5.0 km.Looking into the future, every development needs to follow the proper procedure of EIA to reduce negative impact on human health. It also means that governments should review the buffer distances between such facilities industry and human settlements.

The fruitfly Bactrocera dorsalis is an economically important pest that requires management for the sustainability of agriculture in South Africa. This pest has spread from the country's Northern parts within a decade, where it has completely established and spread to other neighbouring provinces. The pest spreads at various rates due to different factors given biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding factors that influence pest prevalence will assist with practical management strategies. Temperature is one of the factors that assist the invasive potential of B. dorsalis. KwaZulu Natal province is among the hotspot provinces in the country besides Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Trap catches in Northern KwaZulu Natal, uMkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo districts show that the seasonal populations of B. dorsalis are continuously present all year round, even with the application of management options to reduce pest populations. Host availability plays a significant role in the invasion and total outcompeting of other native fruitflies e.g. Ceratitis punctata.

This study investigated the possible health impacts a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) will have on a community that reside near it. The study area was a low cost housing residential area within the Newcastle municipality in South Africa due to its close proximity to a WWTP. The data was acquired through informal interviews, questionnaires and observations. The participants were recruited mainly from the residents who resides about 5.0 km from the plant, local health caregivers, municipality official and the local government management.A survey of the study area showed no other possible source of the odorous gases except the WWTP. About 97.0% of respondents have smelt the bad odour that is probably released from the plant. The results also indicates that a significant number of people suffer from headaches, vision, olfactory and breathing problems which could be linked to the nearby WWTP. It was also discovered that the respondents who are at a distance of more than 5.0 km from the WWTP were also negatively impacted by the gases as the residents who are within 5.0 km.Looking into the future, every development needs to follow the proper procedure of EIA to reduce negative impact on human health. It also means that governments should review the buffer distances between such facilities industry and human settlements.