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The Extent, Nature and Environmental Health Implications of Cottage Industries in Johannesburg, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • June Teare

    (South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa)

  • Tahira Kootbodien

    (South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa)

  • Nisha Naicker

    (South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
    School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Angela Mathee

    (South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
    School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

Abstract

Cottage industries comprise a sub-group of informal sector income generation activities which are conducted in the home environment and organized around families or households. Cottage industry workers may be at risk of exposure to harmful substances associated with their work, and given the lack of separation of cottage industry activities from living spaces, their families and neighbors may similarly be at risk of exposure. This study was undertaken to determine the extent and nature of cottage industries in five neighborhoods in Johannesburg (South Africa) A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five communities in Johannesburg in 2012. Data on metal-related cottage industry activities were collected through the administration of a pre-structured questionnaire. Metal-related cottage industry activities were defined as car repairs, spray painting, scrap metal recycling, electrical appliance repairs, welding, hairdressing and metal jewelry making. One fifth of the households interviewed were operating one or more cottage industries associated with the use of toxic substances. Therefore, the potential exists for associated ill health effects in a considerable proportion of the population. Further research is needed to fully assess exposure to the harmful aspects of cottage industry, as are scaled up campaigns to increase awareness of the risks and correct handling of toxic substances.

Suggested Citation

  • June Teare & Tahira Kootbodien & Nisha Naicker & Angela Mathee, 2015. "The Extent, Nature and Environmental Health Implications of Cottage Industries in Johannesburg, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:2:p:1894-1901:d:45533
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Martha & Sebstad, Jennefer & O'Connell, Lesley, 1999. "Counting the Invisible Workforce: The Case of Homebased Workers," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 603-610, March.
    2. Angela Mathee & Trudy Harpham & Brendon Barnes & Andre Swart & Shan Naidoo & Thea de Wet & Piet Becker, 2009. "Inequity in poverty: the emerging public health challenge in Johannesburg," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(5), pages 721-732.
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    Cited by:

    1. Busisiwe Shezi & Angela Mathee & Nokulunga Cele & Sipho Ndabandaba & Renee A. Street, 2020. "Occupational Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM 4 and PM 2.5 ) during Hand-Made Cookware Operation: Personal, Indoor and Outdoor Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Fairah Barrozo & Gilmar Alves de Almeida & Maciel Santos Luz & Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio, 2022. "A Low-Cost Method Shows Potentially Toxic Element Levels in Dust Correlated with Elevated Blood Levels of These Chemicals in Children Exposed to an Informal Home-Based Production Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-13, December.

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