M. Tech. / Background: Groundwater is essential for many human activities, especially as a source of drinking water. Contaminated groundwater threatens many valuable water resources which may have adverse human health consequences. Groundwater contamination often goes unnoticed as it occurs underground and it is often impossible to, and often very expensive to rehabilitate. Groundwater pollution originating from industrial sites is a general problem in many industrialized countries, but also in developing countries such as South Africa. Among the various types of groundwater contamination, DNAPL (Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids) contamination is a common one. A generic test for determining DNAPL contamination in water and their adverse effects on human health that consume this water does not exist. This study was aimed, by using two known immunoassays, to asses the toxicity and DNA damaging potential, using known techniques, of two index DNAPL and untested groundwater from newly drilled boreholes in areas suspected of DNAPL contamination. Objectives: To compile a DNAPL guideline based the use of index chemicals (Tricloroethylene [TCE] and Aroclor® 1254 [ARO]) to determine the high-end values and a series of reference (non-contaminated ground, and other treated waters) samples used to determine low-end values. PBMC were exposed to these samples and the test reactions for cytotoxicity and DNA damage measured. The methodology was then applied to groundwaters taken from an industrial site. This was to establish the health effects of these waters as well as determining whether they had DNAPL contamination.

M.Tech. Biomedical Technology / Previous studies have reported on the potential health risks associated with direct contact with chemicals (such as DNAPLs) via inhalation or drinking of contaminated groundwater. Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) enter into groundwater through incorrect storage or disposal and pose risk to human health. Industrialization contributes considerably to contamination of ground water with waste disposal practices leading to the deposition of hazardous waste at geologically/hydro-geologically unsuitable locations. Many hazardous chemicals found their way into groundwater by this mean and might cause problems if ingested in drinking water. Most of these compounds undergo only limited degradation in the subsurface, and persist for long periods of time while slowly releasing soluble organic constituents that present hazardous health effects (both toxic and non-toxic) to humans.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Environmental management.)-Tshwane University of Technology, 2008. / Aims to generate information on the quality of water from boreholes and the Steelpoort river in order to ascertain the level of pollution within the vicinity of Vantech mine. The information is envisaged to help a better water management within the area. The following objectives were pursued: to measure water quality parameters ; to investigate the extent of the pollution plume movement ; to study the composition and geological factors in the area in relation to mobility of groundwater and to determine the impacts of Geo hydrological characteristics.