Metro investigates fumes over parts of Pretoria east since June

The Tshwane health services is investigating the cause of fumes experienced in parts of Pretoria east.

An expert believes the fumes could be a hazardous airborne pollutant.

Several residents took to social media to complain about the smell. They reported that the fumes were affecting breathing for the elderly and children.

According to resident Sunmarie Swanepoel, the first time they experienced the fumes was on the night of June 28.

“We have been subjected to severe toxic fumes from June 28 until around July 2 on one side of Newmark Estate on Silverlakes Road.”

Swanepoel said that based on social media reports, the fumes also affected SilverStream Estate and part of Silver Lakes Estate.

“It happened at night and eased during the day. I have heard that it is now on Meerlust Road,” she said.

According to Swanepoel, this is not the smell of the normal dry Gauteng veld or wood fires.

“The smell was pertinently toxic fumes of such a nature that it woke residents up.”

She said a string of people got quite ill with headaches, asthma, nausea and dizziness among other symptoms.

“Children had to be nebulised several times to get them through the night.

“I struggled to convey the urgency of the matter to Tshwane. We were looking into alternative accommodation – such was the extent of the problem,” Swanepoel told Rekord.

According to her, she drove around at night looking for fires which could have been the possible cause of the noxious fumes.

She said she was frustrated as some people got very ill.

Janine Wichmann, an environmental epidemiologist and professor at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria, believes that fumes experienced in parts of Pretoria east could be exposure to potentially hazardous airborne pollutants.

Wichmann said the symptoms reported by the residents of Newmark Estate indicate exposure to potentially hazardous airborne pollutants.

“Likely sources could include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S); emanating from an unknown source.”

She said continuous monitoring and investigation by the Tshwane metro authorities are essential to identify and mitigate the source of these fumes to protect public health.

Wichmann said the source of the fumes cannot be the burning of firewood.

“However firewood can release certain pollutants, it is less likely to cause such widespread symptoms unless there is significant and continuous exposure in a confined area. The reported symptoms and the nature of the fumes suggest another source, which needs to be investigated.”

Wichmann said wind, rain and temperature inversions or weather conditions also influence air pollution levels.

She said the symptoms reported—headaches, asthma, nausea, and dizziness—can be caused by numerous airborne pollutants.

Here are some potential sources and types of toxins or fumes:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

– Sources: Landfill sites, industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and household products.

– Effects: VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory issues.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10):

– Sources: Combustion processes, vehicle exhaust, industrial activities, and dust from construction sites.

– Effects: Fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues, asthma exacerbations, and cardiovascular problems.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2):

– Sources: Industrial processes, particularly those involving the burning of fossil fuels.

– Effects: Can cause respiratory symptoms, including bronchoconstriction and increased asthma symptoms.

Carbon Monoxide (CO):

– Sources: Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, vehicle exhaust, and malfunctioning furnaces.

– Effects: Exposure to CO can lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and in severe cases, death.

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S):

– Sources: Landfill sites, sewage treatment plants, and industrial activities.

– Effects: Low concentrations can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and higher concentrations can lead to headaches, dizziness, and respiratory distress.

According to metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba, environmental health practitioners are investigating the matter in collaboration with the complainant to establish the cause to remedy the situation.

Bokaba said at this stage, the cause of the fumes at night is unknown.

He said however, an environmental health practitioner from the city is assessing the possible cause of the alleged smell of noxious fumes in the area, for example at the landfill site in Mamelodi.

Bokaba said the city received the complaint only on July 3, despite the residents saying they have been subjected to this since June 28.

“The first complaint was received on Wednesday, July 3 after the complainants experienced a bad smell from Sunday night, (June 29) and no further complaints were received after the city’s environmental health section investigated the complaint.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram