Health alert issued over transformer oil use in Thembisa
DFFE officials, working with the Tembisa Local Taxi Association, have cautioned residents against using transformer oil on their bodies, citing long-term physical and mental health dangers.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) recently visited the Oakmoor area in Thembisa under the leadership of the Tembisa Local Taxi Association (Telta) to raise awareness about the dangers of using transformer oil on human skin.
The department said the practice poses serious health risks to the community, including minors, who are particularly vulnerable to long-term physical and mental harm if exposed to the oil.
Mmangaka Moloi from the DFFE said, “We are here to educate the community about transformer oil. It is designed for equipment, not the human body. We have learnt that some people use it on their bodies due to challenges they are going through,” Moloi said.
She said transformer oil contains the chemical polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), an organic pollutant that does not easily break down in the environment.
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“When this chemical comes into contact with the skin, it can damage the immune system and disrupt hormone balance. In adults, this may result in cancer. In children, it can affect development, including lowering IQ levels,” she said.
Moloi stressed that the oil does not cure any health conditions.
“Scientists have tested it and do not recommend using it on the human body. While it might appear to heal one problem, the oil introduces new, more serious health risks.
“Transformer oil is meant for transformer purposes only. We urge the Thembisa community not to use it, as it poses a serious health hazard,” she said.
Telta PRO Noah Moleya said the organisation supports efforts to prioritise community health.
“We are aware of the oil and how it is being used, but it has never been approved or proven by the government for use on the skin,” Moleya said.
“We urge the community, commuters and drivers to avoid transformer oil. Many use it hoping it will heal them, without realising that it might introduce new illnesses.”
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The use of transformer oil has reportedly increased in the area, with some residents advised by traditional healers to use it.
While respecting cultural practices and beliefs, authorities emphasised the importance of heeding warnings from those who manufacture and regulate the oil. It is not a form of treatment.
