Toxic City brings industries to book

THE SOUTH Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) launched its book entitled Toxic City to the public at a launch event at the Austerville community hall on Thursday, 13 September.
The book was the result of input by the SDCEA staff and the review and input were penned by Professor Rajen Naidoo from the Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, UKZN.

The book contains years of researched data detailing how chemical emissions from surrounding factories and companies have affected the health of residents living in Durban South.

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SDCEA, which launched in 1995, has assessed and recorded chemical emissions in the area as well as several environmental threats throughout the decades. Toxic City includes the activist organisation’s compilation of companies located in the area and the emissions they give off, as well as symptoms which can be caused through exposure to the various emissions. These include the two main gasses, carbon monoxide which causes headaches, nausea and dizziness and sulphur dioxide which causes a sore throat, red and painful eyes, and coughing.

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The book cites many of the chemicals being emitted as causes of the chronic sicknesses suffered by the community, including asthma and respiratory problems. Many have claimed that due to the high chemical emissions, many of their families and friends have suffered or died of cancer. “We have hundreds of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports dating back from 1994. These documents have been lying in our office for many years, recording the risk and dangers of pollution in South Durban,” said D’Sa.

Earlier this year SDCEA developed a cancer registry and encouraged residents who have had cancer or who know of someone who died of or is living with cancer to submit their details to the registry.
This book aims to educate and create public awareness around what chemicals are being released into our air and essentially hold all companies involved accountable,” he added.
The book was distributed widely to those who attended the launch and .is available from SDCEA’s 224 Gouritz Crescent offices. Call them on 031-461-1991

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