29-Oct-2019 1700

Masekameni, Masilu Daniel (PhD)
Masilu Daniel Masekameni was born in 1984 in the Limpopo Province. He
matriculated at Tseana High School in 2003. In 2006, he obtained his National
diploma in Environmental Health (Cum laude). He obtained a B-Tech degree in
2009 (Cum laude) and completed an MPhil in Energy Studies with a distinction in
2016 at the University of Johannesburg. He enrolled for his PhD in the same year.
Mr Masekameni is employed as a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand,
School of Public Health.
The study focused on emission factors from small-scale coal combustion
technologies, particle size distribution, physicochemical properties of emissions,
risk assessment of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes (BTEX)
emissions, and cellular uptake of particulates. Results revealed that gaseous and
aerosol emissions were significantly reduced by the correct selection of stove to
fuel combinations. Emissions of particulates were directly proportional to stove
type, fuel properties and ignition method. Particles from domestic coal burning
exhibited small diameter of less than 100 nm. This is concerning given higher
deposition rates in the lower respiratory track of exposed individuals. BTEX
emissions remain a worrying aspect due to the high probability of cancer risk under
defined exposure scenarios. The study has international importance because for
the first time, a methodology for health risk assessment from residential coal
burning was applied. This study produced publications in peer-reviewed journals,
three conference papers and eight international conference presentations.
Supervisor: Prof M Gulumian (University of the Witwatersrand)
Co-supervisor: Dr T Makonese
Co-supervisor: Prof IT Rampedi
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