SPECIAL FEATURE: Benoni has worst air quality in Africa

The 2023 World Air Quality Report by IQAir revealed that numerous cities and towns in SA were exposed to high levels of air pollution, with Benoni ranking as the worst in Africa.

Benoni recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 54.9 microcosms per cubic metre, closely followed by Bloemfontein at 49.4.

According to the report, coal-powered and industrial plants are the biggest contributors to air pollution in SA, along with vehicle exhausts, coal mines, metal smelters and petrochemicals.

The Homestead Helpers for Benoni, an organisation dedicated to environmental conservation, agreed with the report, saying the town is facing a “gusty challenge, with air pollution levels that have raised eyebrows and concerns”.

According to them, the air quality issue is not just a by-product of industrialisation but also the result of everyday practices by residents, such as improper waste disposal, increased reliance on petroleum products and the regular burning of waste.

“Improper waste disposal has led to a significant amount of recyclable and reusable material ending up in landfills, where, in the absence of proper waste management, they often get burnt, releasing harmful pollutants into the air,” said the organisation’s director, Chintan Patel.

He said residents often contravene the CoE’s by-laws by burning leaves and other vegetation in their backyards, exacerbating the problem.

In addition, petroleum products, like kerosene, petrol and diesel used for heaters and other appliances, are some of the most sizeable contributors.

“The use of anthracite heaters, which becomes prevalent in winter, is a known source of harmful emissions. Moreover, the trolley pushers, who play a vital role in our recycling ecosystem, often have no choice but to burn the refuse collected, contributing to our polluted skies.”

New leaf

Tackling the town’s air quality begins with every community member taking responsibility for waste and opting for cleaner energy sources such as solar, battery or gas-powered appliances, said Patel.

He said behavioural changes would help improve the environment, and if all residents play their part, Benoni could be reinstated as a “place where the air is as rich in quality as the spirit of its people”.

“Let’s turn a new leaf, clear the air and show we are not just blowing smoke when it comes to caring for our town. Together, we can clear the smog from our skies and consciences,” Patel said.

The secretary of the Korsman Conservancy, Debbie van de Laar, agreed with Patel that the factories surrounding Benoni contribute heavily to the air pollution in the city.

“My interest began when my son and his wife moved to China and were advised to buy an air purifier for their apartment.

“I started comparing the air quality there to that in Benoni and was shocked at how often the air quality in Benoni was worse than in China,” she said.

She added, “There is a lot of heavy industry here. I think it is an important subject which should be further explored.”

The chairperson of the Korsman Conservancy, Jane Trembath, said the IQAir report came as a shock because she thought the highly industrialised Vaal Triangle would top the list.

She said it was hard to tell if it contributed to the deaths of animals at Korsman because when they find dead birds or fish, they usually can’t determine the cause of death.

“The effects of air pollution are more indirect because toxic particles from industrial smoke or burning waste can settle in the water and degrade its quality. Toxins affect fish and birds that eat them, and the water develops a bloom of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, which also kills through removing oxygen,” she said.

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What community members said: