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	School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

Subject Physiology

Research

Within the Subject Group Physiology, research is performed by two different groups, namely the Cardiovascular Physiology research group and Occupational Hygiene group.

Cardiovascular Physiology

The official name of this research group is HART, namely the "Hypertension in Africa Research Team".

Background information

This research group focuses on the one hand on epidemiology/community type research studies, but on the other hand also on clinical studies to investigate underlying mechanisms. The scientific focus of this group is vascular function and all research projects conducted also aims to concentrate on vascular function.

Involvement in previous research projects

THUSA Study : A good example of a community study is the THUSA project that was conducted from 1996-1998. The THUSA project (Thusa is the acrynom for Transition and Health during Urbanisation in South Africa, and is also the Tswana word for “help”) was a transdisciplinary study where various subject groups and universities (national and international) were involved. A group of 1850 participants took part in this study. A wide range of parameters which change during the process of urbanisation were studied in order to increase knowledge regarding the risk factors involved in the development of hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus – all diseases which are not common in rural communities, but very common in urbanised and acculturised communities. Physiological parameters studied were cardiovascular changes and endocrine changes (such as changes in cortisol, testosterone and prolactin levels). The most important findings were published. The aim was further to advise health authorities regarding possible steps to take in order to prevent and treat these diseases.

THUSA BANA Study : The THUSA BANA project was initiated as a result of the THUSA study. The data collection of the THUSA BANA project took place from 2000 to 2001 and was basically a repeat of the THUSA project, except that the participants consisted of 1256 primary school children. Various conclusions were drawn from the results regarding the development of high blood pressure in different ethnic groups, as well as the development of obesity in later life. From this project numerous results were published, also regarding stunted growth in these children and early vascular changes associated with physiological and psychological factors which influence the resting blood pressure in children. There were also a number of publications on the nutrients which act as markers of cardiovascular disease in these children.

POWIRS Study : In this study the role of obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension were studied in African women, especially regarding the role of changes in vascular function. This study started during March 2003, and was named the POWIRS study (Profiles of Obese Women with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome). This was a transdisciplinary study where researchers from the following disciplines were involved: Cardiovascular Physiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Biochemistry, Anthropometry, Centre for Genome Research in Pretoria, and there was also collaboration with Prof. Peter Schwarz and his students from Germany.

Except for the relationships studied regarding obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension, the focus of the Cardiovascular Physiology group was aimed at vascular function. As a result, specific vaso-active hormonal levels were determined during the POWIRS study and relationships with vascular function in the African women were determined. The data collection of a follow-up project, namely POWIRS II, started in July 2004 and was completed in August 2004. During this phase, a group of Caucasian women were studied and similar measurements taken as in the African women. The published results of this study showed (amongst others) that leptin (a hormone secreted by the adipose or fat tissue) plays an important role in the association between obesity and hypertension.

Vascular function study: Another clinical study, which was a double-blind clinical study, was conducted to investigate the effect of anti-oxidant intake on vascular function in a group of 40 young men, where 20 took placebo’s and 20 took the vitamins. The published results of this study showed clearly that anti-oxidant intake had a favourable effect on cardiovascular health. Another important result of this study was that the sophisticated apparatus used to determine cardiovasular health, as well as the clinical environment where measurements were taken, were sensitive enough to detect these vascular changes. This study is now being followed up by a more elaborate study which focuses on changes in vascular function. In this follow-up study, endocrine parameters (vaso-active substances, e.g. endothelin-1 and angiotensin II) will be determined, as well as vascular compliance and pulse wave velocity. This is especially important because the scope of the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease is shifting more and more towards the endothelium and endothelial function. Our laboratory is well equipped for these types of studies.

Current research activities

The research group is currently busy with a number of new projects. A new interdisciplinary longitudinal study of the University, named the PURE study (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology) started in 2005 and included 2000 African subjects from rural and urban areas. This 12 year long follow-up study is coordinated from Canada (Prof. Salim Yusuf) and are also performed in 19 other developing countries. The development of cardiovascular disease during urbanisation and its risk factors is the main focus, with a wide range of measurements being made. A new focus of our group within this study is the effect of HIV on vascular function.

Another study that started in 2007 is the SAfrEIC study (South African study regarding the influence of Sex, Age and Ethnicity on Insulin sensitivity and Cardiovascular function). Caucasian and African participants were included in this study, and the differences in the development of the metabolic syndrome are being studied. Currently we are performing various biochemical analyses of the 750 participants. This involves collaboration with Prof. Rainer Boeger from Germany, where analyses of nitric oxide-related peptides will be measured. A number of PhD and Masters students are currently busy analysing the data of this study.

A new study that started data-collection in 2008 is the SABPA study (Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans). This study involves the measurement of sympathetic activity, 24-hour blood pressure, and reactivity tests in teachers. Various new techniques are being used in this study, including the sonar measurements of intima-media thickness (atherosclerosis) in the carotid artery in the neck. The data-collection of the African subjects have been completed, and a second leg of this study in Caucasian teachers are planned for 2009.

International collaboration:

The Cardiovascular Research group aims to perform smaller but well controlled research projects, but also to collaborate in a transdisciplinary manner with other research groups such as the African Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR), and the Nutrition Centre of Excellence. Within these projects many M.Sc. and Ph.D. students are trained.

In 2007 Dr. Rudolph Schutte worked in Belgium under the leadership of Prof. Jan Staessen. But we also have very good international collaboration with other international researchers, such a Prof. Peter Schwarz (Technical University Dresden, Germany), Prof. Rainer Boeger (Hamburg, Germany), Prof. Helen Marcoyannopoulou-Fojas (Evangelismos Hospital, Greece), Prof. Salim Yusuf (McMaster University, Canada), Dr. Kevin Rowley (Melbourne University, Australia), Prof. Kerin O’Dea (Menzies School of Health Research, Australia), Prof. Nancy Frasure-Smith (Montreal Heart Institute, Canada), Prof. F Lesperance (Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Motnreal, Canada), and Dr. A Alkerwi (Centre de Recherche Public-Sante, Luxembourg).

Publications since 2004:

Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, Malan NT, Eloff FC, Malan L, Laubscher PJ, Schutte AE. Prolactin, testosterone and cortisol as possible markers of changes in cardiovascular function associated with urbanization. J Hum Hypertens 2002; 16(12):829-835.
Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Kruger HS, Malan NT, De Ridder JH. Dietary markers of hypertension associated with pulse pressure and arterial compliance in black South African children: the THUSA BANA study. Cardiovasc J S Afr, 2003; 14(2):81-89.
Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Kruger HS, Malan NT, De Ridder JH. Dietary risk markers that contribute to the aetiology of hypertension in black South African children: the THUSA BANA study. J Hum Hypertens 2003; 17:29-35.
Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, De Ridder JH. Associations between arterial compliance and anthropometry of children from four ethnic groups in South Africa : the THUSA BANA study. Blood Press 2003; 12(2):97-103.
Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Kruger HS, De Ridder JH. Factor analysis of possible risks for hypertension in a black South African population. J Hum Hypertens 2003; 17:339-348.
Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Kruger HS, Malan NT. The potential role of biotin as dietary risk marker for hypertension in black South African children - the THUSA BANA study. S Afr J Clin Nutr 2003; 16(4):144-148.
Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC. Sensitivity of the Finometer device in detecting acute and medium-term changes in cardiovascular function. Blood Press Monit, 2003; 8(5):195-201.
Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, Malan NT, Schutte R. Validation of the Finometer device for measurement of blood pressure in black women. J Hum Hypertens, 2004; 18:79-84.
Van Rooyen JM, Nienaber AW, Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Malan NT, Schutte R, Malan L. Differences in resting cardiovascular parameters in 10-15 year old children of different ethnicity: the contribution of physiological and psychological factors. Ann Behav Med 2004; 28(3):163-170.
Schutte R, Huisman HW, Malan L, Van Rooyen JM, Schutte AE, Malan NT, De Ridder JH. Differences in cardiovascular function of rural and urban African males: the THUSA study. Cardiovasc J S Afr, 2004; 15:161-165.
Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC. Cardiovascular effects of oral supplementation of vitamin C, E and folic acid in young healthy males. Int J Vit Nutr Res, 2004; 74(4):285-293.
Pieterse Z, Jerling, JC, Oosthuizen W, Kruger HS, Hanekom SM, Smuts CS, Schutte AE. Substitution of high monounsaturated fatty acid avocado for mixed dietary fats during an energy restricted diet: effects on weight loss, serum lipids, fibrinogen and vascular function. Nutrition, 2005; 21(1):67-75
Van Rooyen JM, Kruger HS, Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Malan NT, Schutte R. Early cardiovascular changes in 10-15 year old stunted children: the THUSA BANA study. Nutrition, 2005; 21(7):808-814
LI 535-541. 19(7), 2005; Hypertens, Hum J study. POWIRS The adiposity: increased with women African hypertensive in compliance arterial and pressure pulse pressure, blood systolic associated independently is Leptin NT. Malan AE, Schutte HW, Huisman R,>Schutte AE, Kruger HS, Wissing MP, Underhay C, Vorster HH. The emergence of the metabolic syndrome in urban obese African women: The POWIRS-Study. S Afr J Sci, 2005; 101:61-67.
Schutte AE, Shemesh T, Rowley K, Best JD, McDermott R, O'Dea K. The metabolic syndrome and changing relationship between blood pressure and insulin with age, as observed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Diabet Med, 2005; 22:1589-1597.
Schutte R, Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Malan NT. 2005. Plasma endothelin-1 is not increased in overweight/obese hypertensive African women: the POWIRS study. Blood Press, 2005; 14:279-283.
Schutte R, Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Malan NT. Leptin is favourably associated with vascular function in obese Caucasians, but not in obese Africans. J Hum Hypertens., 2005; 19:933-939.
Schutte R, Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Malan NT, Underhay C. Cardiovascular function of African women with different BMI's and blood pressures: The POWIRS study. Cardiovasc J S Afr 2006; 17:12-18.
Malan L, Schutte AE, Malan NT, Wissing MP, Vorster HH, Steyn HS, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW. Specific coping strategies of Africans during urbanization: comparing cardiovascular responses and perception of health data. Biol Psych 2006; 72(3):305-310.
Malan L, Schutte AE, Malan NT, Wissing MP, Vorster HH, Steyn HS, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW. Coping mechanisms, perception of health and cardiovascular dysfunction in Africans. Int J Psychophys 2006; 61(2):158-166.
Schutte AE, O’Dea K, Schwarz P. Could statistical adjustments for age mask the insulin-blood pressure relationship? Diab Res Clin Pract. 2006; 72:104-107.
Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Mukuddem-Petersen J, Oosthuizen W, Hanekom SM, Jerling JC. Modulation of baroreflex sensitivity by walnuts versus cashew nuts in metabolic syndrome subjects. Am J Hypertens 2006; 19:629-636.
Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Malan NT, Malan L, Schutte R, Kruger A. The influence of testosterone on blood pressure and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a black South African population. Ethn Dis 2006; 16(3): 693-698.
Schutte AE, Van Vuuren D, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Schutte R, Malan L, Malan NT. Inflammation, obesity and cardiovascular function in African and Caucasian women from South Africa: The POWIRS study. J Hum Hypertens 2006; 20(11):850-859.
Greyling A, Pieters M, Hoekstra T, Oosthuizen W, Schutte AE. Differences in the association of PAI-1 activity with the metabolic syndrome between African and Caucasian women. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2007; 17:499-507.
Slabbert S, De Ridder JH, Kruger HS, Schutte AE, Underhay C, Van Lieshout M. The association between C-reactive protein concentrations and body composition in 19 to 56 year old black South African women. Int J Body Comp Res 2006; 4(3):129-135.
Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Schutte R, Van Rooyen JM, Malan L, Malan NT. Aging influences the level and functions of fasting plasma ghrelin levels: The POWIRS-Study. Reg Pep 2007; 139: 65-71.
Reimann M, Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Schutte R, Van Rooyen JM, Malan L, Malan NT, Schwarz PEH. Ethnical differences in C-peptide secretion but not in non-esterified fatty acid metabolism in pre-menopausal women with and without abdominal obesity. Diab Res Clin Pract 2007; 77:62-69.
Olckers A, Towers GW, Van der Merwe A, Schwarz PEH, Rheeder P, Schutte AE. Protective effect against type 2 diabetes identified within the ACDC gene, in a black South African diabetic cohort. Metabolism 2007; 56:587-592.
Reimann M, Schutte AE, Schutte R, Malan L, Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, Schwarz PEH, Malan NT. Determinants of aortic input impedance in two ethnic populations: impact of obesity. J Hum Hypertens 2007; 21:747-749.
Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Schutte R, Malan L, Van Rooyen JM, Malan NT, Schwarz PEH. Differences and similarities regarding adiponectin investigated in African and Caucasian women. Eur J Endocrinol 2007; 157(2):181-188.
Reimann M, Schutte AE, Malan NT, Schwarz PEH, Benndorf RA, Schulze F, Boger RH. Assymetric dimethylarginine affects markers of glucose metabolism in Caucasian but not in African women. Exp Clin Endoc Diab 2007; 115:600-605.
Palmer IM, Schutte AE, Huisman HW, Van Rooyen J M, Schutte R, Malan L, Malan NT. A comparison of uric acid levels in black African vs Caucasian women from South Africa: the POWIRS study. Ethn Dis 2007; 17:676-681.
Schutte AE, Olckers A. Metabolic syndrome risk in black South African women compared to Caucasin women. Horm Metab Res 2007; 39:651-657.
Fourie CMT, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Malan NT, Malan L, Schutte AE. The influence of cardiac and vascular responses on resting cardiovascular parameters in African chiildren. Ethn Dis 2008; 18:187-191.
Swanepoel M, Moss H, Kruger HS, Schutte AE. The relationship between leptin, body composition and physical fitness in black adolescents: the PLAY-study. S Afr J Res Sport, Phys Educ Recr 2007, 29:109-119.
Reimann M, Schutte AE, Malan L, Huisman HW, Malan NT. Hyperuricaemia is an independent factor for the metabolic syndrome in a sub-Sarahan African population: a factor analysis. Atherosclerosis 2008; 197:638-645.
Reimann M, Schutte AE, Schwarz PEH. Insulin resistance - the role of ethnicity. Evidence from Caucasian and African cohorts. Horm Metab Res 2007; 39:853-857.
Slabbert S, De Ridder JH, Kruger HS, Underhay C, Schutte AE. The relationship of C-reactive protein to traditional cardiovascular risk factors in 19-60 year old African women. Afr J Phys Health Educ Recr Dance 2007; suppl 116-127.
Van Rooyen JM, Pretorius PJ, Britz M, Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Towers GW, Olckers A, Schwarz PEH, Malan NT, Malan L, Schutte R. Genetic polymorphisms of Beta-2 and Beta-3 adrenergic receptor genes associated with characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in black South African women. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116:236-240.
Schutte R, Nawrot T, Richart T, Thijs L, Roels HA, Van Bortel LM, Struijker-Boudier H< Staessen JA. Arterial structure and function and environmental exposure to cadmium. Occup Environ Med 2008; 65:412-419.
Schutte R, Nawrot T, Richart T, Thijs L, Vanderschueren D, Roels HA, Staessen JA. Markers of bone resorption and environmental exposure to cadmium: a population study. Environment Health Perspectives 2008; 116:777-783.
Schwarz PEH, Towers GW, Van der Merwe A, Perez-Perez L, Rheeder P, Schulze J, Bornstein SR, Licinio J, Wong M-L, Schutte AE, Olckers A. Global meta-analysis of the C-11377G alteration in the ADIPOQ gene indicates the presence of population-specific effects: challenge for global health initiatives. Pharmacogenomics J - Early online publication 4 March 2008.
Schutte AE Huisman HW, Van Rooyen JM, Schutte R, Malan L, Reimann M, De Ridder JH, Van der Merwe A, Schwarz PEH, Malan NT. Should obesity be blamed for the high prevalence rates of hypertension in black South African women? J Hum Hypertens 2008; 22(8):528-536.
Huisman HW, Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Schutte R, Malan L, Fourie CMT, Malan NT. The association of red blood cell counts with endothelin-1 in African and Caucasian women. Clin Exp Hypertens. Accepted for publication 6 May 2008.

Occupational Hygiene

What is Occupational Hygiene?

Occupational Hygiene is defined as the multidisciplinary science which involves the anticipation, identification, evaluation and control of hazards in and around the workplace which are detrimental to the health of workers, the community and the environment. An Occupational Hygienist, therefore, has the responsibility to remove work associated health hazards, or to minimize the hazard to an acceptable level as prescribed by the law. The two pieces of legislation directly applicable to Occupational Hygiene are the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act 29 of 1996).

History of Occupational Hygiene at the NWU:

The Department of Physiology of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education started with the B.Sc. Honours degree in Industrial Physiology during 1966. Students could also continue with M.Sc. and D.Sc. degrees, which were research orientated and most of the research was done at the Chamber of Mines, South Africa. In 1997 the B.Sc. Honours in Industrial Physiology changed to a M.Sc. in Industrial Physiology. This was a structured degree with theory modules and a research project. The name Industrial Physiology (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) was replaced by Occupational Hygiene in 2001.

EDUCATION:

Honours:

Students that are admitted to the general B.Sc. Honours degree in Physiology enroll for the following modules that are necessary for further study in Occupational Hygiene:

FLGX614: Toxicology A

FLGX624: Toxicology B

FLGX628: Occupational Hygiene Monitoring A – A basic introduction to Occupational Hygiene, aerosol-, microbiological-, gas- and vapour monitoring.

FLGX671: Practical project – The mini-dissertation consist of the following sections: Monitoring of the effectiveness of chemical fume cupboards, an illumination survey of a research laboratory and monitoring of worker exposure to welding fumes.

During the Honours there is selection for the M.Sc. in Occupational Hygiene.

M.Sc. Occupational Hygiene:

The M.Sc. Occupational Hygiene degree has theoretical as well as practical (research) components.

Theoretical modules:

Each of these modules include an examination:

FLGX884: Occupational Hygiene Monitoring B:
- Noise
- Lighting
- Psychrometry
- Ventilation
- Risk assessment
FLGX885: Vibration, Heat and Ergonomic factors.
FLGX886: Occupational Health legislation.
FLGX887: Personal Protective Equipment and Radiation.
The SAIOH examination for the classification of a student as an Occupational Hygiene Assistant.

Practical module:

A mini-dissertation has to be submitted for examination, based on a research investigation regarding a suitable subject in the Occupational Hygiene field.

Subjects of research investigations which will be conducted by students, include the following (amongst others):

Monitoring the environmental factors in a coal mine rescue chamber.
Exposure to dust, noise and hydrogen fluoride gas in a fertilizer factory and the health dangers associated with it.
Investigation regarding noise, dust, lighting and ergonomic factors regarding the growth of maize, grains and potatoes.
An investigation regarding the exposure to dust in a coking plant and the health risks involved.
Hypertension of heavy ore carrier operators.
Monitoring of the exposure of workers in an explosives plant to TNT.
Exposure of workers to coal dust in a chemical plant.
Monitoring of, and the health risks associated with exposure of workers in a metal refinary to nickel and platinum salts.
An ergonomic investigation of human-machine interactions in a metal workshop.
Vibration and noise exposure in a coal processing plant.
Reproductive health of female workers in a petrochemical plant.
Occupational hygiene and health of South African farm workers;
The influence of exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles on the hematological health of workers in a petrochemical plant.
The influence of benzene exposure to DNA damage en recovery.
The physiological influence of hand-arm vibration on certain parameters of the cardiovascular function.
The possible association between exposure to volatile organic solvents and visual problems with crane operators.
The combined effect of exposure to volatile organic solvents and noise on hearing thresholds.
DNA damage and repair as determined by the comet asssay in leukocytes of petrol attendants.
DNA damage and repair as possible biological markers for longterm, low-level chermical exposure of hairdressers.
Exposure of workers in university laboratories to hazardous chemical substances.
Dermal exposure to nickel in ’n metal refinery.

Research:

Research in Occupational Hygiene involves the identification and evaluation of dangers in and around the work environment. There is a close association with both the industry and mines, as may be concluded from the research subjects associated with the practical (reseach) component of the M.Sc.

Conference attendance:

1. Eloff, FC., van Wyk, T., Laubscher, PJ., van Aarde, MN., Du Plessis, JL., Booysen, J. 2005. Exposure to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in a munitions factory. IOHA. 6th International Scientific Conference. Pilanesberg, South Africa.

2. van Aarde, MN., Visser, B., Smit, BMT., Eloff, FC., Laubscher, PJ., Du Plessis, JL., Booysen, J. 2005. Comparison of standard Fourier analysis and wavelet analysis (pulse analysis) as tools to obtain vibration and noise exposure data. IOHA. 6th International Scientific Conference. Pilanesberg, South Africa.

3. Laubscher, PJ., Eloff, FC., van Aarde, MN., Du Plessis, JL., Booysen, J. 2005. The influence of vibration and noise from a handheld pneumatic (sculptors) chisel on the human cardiovascular system. IOHA. 6th International Scientific Conference. Pilanesberg, South Africa.

4. van Aarde, MN., Mooidheen, M., Janse van Rensburg, K., Booysen, J., Du Plessis, JL., Laubscher, PJ., Eloff, FC. 2008. The exposure of farm workers on a cattle feedlot to microorganisms and its effect on lung function. IOHA. 7th International Scientific Conference. Taipei, Taiwan.

5. Laubscher, PJ., Griesel, H., Eloff, FC., van Aarde, MN., Du Plessis, JL., Booysen, J., Colane, G. 2008. Characterization of and exposure of workers to tailings dust at South African platinum mines tailings dams. IOHA. 7th International Scientific Conference. Taipei, Taiwan.

6. Eloff, FC., Preston, R., Pretorius, PJ., Du Plessis, JL., Laubscher, PJ., van Aarde, MN., Booysen, J., Colane, G. 2008. Measuring DNA damage and repair as possible biological markers for long term, low-level chemical exposure in hairdressers. IOHA. 7th International Scientific Conference. Taipei, Taiwan.

7. Keretetse, G., Laubscher, PJ., Du Plessis, JL., Pretroius, PJ., van Deventer, E., Eloff, FC., van Aarde, MN., van Dyk, E., Du Plessis, LH. 2008. DNA damage and repair detected by the comet assay in lymphocytes of African petrol attendants. IOHA. 7th International Scientific Conference. Taipei, Taiwan.

Publications:

1. Badenhorst, C.J., Du Plessis, J.L., Eloff, F.C. 2007. Chapter 12: Dermal Exposure. In: SIMRAC Handbook of Occupational Health Practice in the South African Mining Industry. ISBN: 9781919853246.

2. Keretetse, G., Laubscher, PJ., Du Plessis, JL., Pretorius, PJ., van der Westhuizen, FH., van Deventer, E., Eloff, FC., van Aarde, MN., van Dyk, E., Du Plessis, LH. 2008. DNA damage and repair detected by the comet assay in lymphocytes of African petrol attendants. Annals of Occupational Hygiene. Accepted for publication.

3. Du Plessis, JL., Eloff, FC., Badenhorst, CJ., Booysen, R., van Aarde, MN., Laubscher, PJ. 2008. Dermal exposure sampling methods: an overview. Occupational Health Southern Africa. Accepted for publication.

Job opportunities

Some of the institutions where M.Sc. students are working include the following:

CSIR
SASOL
City councils
Platinum mines
Gold mines
NCOH/NIOH
Coal mines
Department of Labour
Occupational Hygiene Consultants
With the necessarily experience a M.Sc. graduate will be able to start his/her own consultancy firm.
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