Ward councillor voices her concerns over human impact after Cornubia fire

UMHLANGA ward councillor, Nicole Bollman, has voiced her concern over the potential long-term human and environmental impact of the burning of United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) warehouse in Cornubia during last month’s looting and unrest.

Bollman was part of an oversight visit to the warehouse on Wednesday last week to ascertain the impact of the social unrest on the environment and in particular the UPL warehouse.

During the visit, there was a joint briefing involving the Department of the Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Water and Sanitation; eThekwini Municipality, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. These departments operate under the Joint Operation Committee (JOC).

Bollman said during the briefing and site visit she was given the background and context around the fire that burnt down the warehouse and the impediments that blocked the fire department’s access to the warehouse.

Related story: Concerns over potential chronic conditions after burning of Cornubia warehouse

“We know the runoff of chemicals as a result of the fire, flowed into the uMhlanga tributary, uMhlanga estuary and eventually onto the beach, leaving a pungent smell, discolouring the water and killing aquatic life. At this stage we don’t understand the long-term damage to the environment and the impact on residents living in close vicinity. Some community members who were present at the meeting spoke about the short-term effects, which included shortness of breath and intermittent asthma.

“Various recommendations were made by the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries which I fully support but there are still questions regarding certification and compliance. We are still dealing with a complete unknown and right now we have a disaster space, the burnt out warehouse, and life continuing around it. From my side I would like to see more transparency especially as teams of environmental specialists continue their operations to clean-up and contain,” she said.

Bollman also urged residents to e-mail a company doing research into the human element of the disaster with their symptoms and experiences. 

“Apex Environmental is currently on the ground conducting research into the human element of the disaster. I urge residents to email them on leon@apexenviro.co.za about symptoms, experiences and doctors findings and to please include me in the email (ward35@nicolebollman.co.za),” she said.