Poor air quality is commonly known for its contribution to, among others, respiratory and cardiac diseases.
The metro, being an industrial hub, has established continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations across the metro to identify sources of potentially harmful emissions.
The locations of the 10 ambient air quality monitoring stations were strategically chosen based on results of a feasibility study that identified areas with high concentrations of air pollutant such as industrial areas and areas with high traffic congestion.
The monitoring stations assess ambient air pollutant concentrations to which the surrounding communities are exposed.
Some of the stations are located in Bedfordview, Springs and Tembisa.
The information obtained from the monitoring provides an indication of the quality of the air and can be used to determine the impact of the air pollutants on the environment, as well as health impacts on the community.
The metro’s air quality practitioner, Bobby Marilli, explained that the metro has a legal obligation to monitor ambient air in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act No. 39 of 2004.
“The most harmful kinds of air pollution are the ones we can’t see with our naked eye.
“Air pollution occurs if there is a change in the composition of the ambient air caused by smoke, dust, gases, fumes, aerosols and odorous substances which are harmful to the environment,” Marilli said.
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Ambient air refers to any unconfined portion of the atmosphere or outdoor air.
The atmosphere or outdoor air is composed of a mixture of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, a small amount of argon and other gases.
The stations monitor pollutants that interfere with acceptable levels of compositions of the atmospheric air, and air quality practitioners intervene whenever an alarming pollutant source is detected from the system.
Marilli further explained that the burning of waste is also an underappreciated source of air pollutants as the most dangerous emissions can be caused by burning rubble.
“When waste is burnt, harmful quantities of dioxins, a group of highly toxic chemicals, are emitted.
“Dioxins are the most toxic pollutants to human organisms,” said Marilli.
Where industries are identified as sources of air pollutants, air quality practitioners visit the premises to evaluate compliance with air quality standards.
The standards prescribe the acceptable level of pollutants that cannot be exceeded during a given time in a defined area.
The community can get involved by reporting any air pollution, or odour problems in their area to the following air quality practitioners in their areas for intervention:
• North: Samukelo Shongwe: Samukelo.Futshane@ekurhuleni.gov.za or 011 999 3525.
• South: Edmund van Wyk: Edmund.VanWyk@ekurhuleni.gov.za or 011 999 2470.
• East: Flip Visser: Flip.Visser@ekurhuleni.gov.za or 011 999 8768 or Chris Kapp: Chris.Kapp@ekurhuleni.gov.za or 011 999 8759.
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