Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Medicine
Department of Urology
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
Prof Riana Bornman was the project leader for a Water Research Commission study K5/1505 on Endocrine Disrupter Chemicals (EDCs) and the health risk in an Urban Nature Reserve. The multidisciplinary and multi-institutional team from the University, University of Johannesburg, North West University and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as partners from Colorado State University, integrated chemical and biological assays of various aquatic and terrestrial sentinel species for endocrine disruption and performed a qualitative scenario-based health risk analysis. Various agro- and industrial chemicals were found and the estrogenicity was posing a risk to reproduction in fish. In sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, testicular oocytes (intersex) were observed, the African Clawed Frog had a skewed sex ratio, and the penile complex in freshwater snails was feminized. Significant signs of testicular toxicity were found in eland and striped mouse, similar to those of exposure to EDCs. If untreated water from the dams is used for domestic purposes, unacceptable health risks for carcinogenicity and toxicity could be anticipated. The greatest health concern would be if this water is used for irrigation of vegetables with a hypothetical risk of developing cancer calculated to be 1 in 1 000. Assuming 80% reduction as a result of going through a treatment process, the treated water appears safe to use, provided that the process remains functional.
Contact person: Prof MS Bornman.
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