eSikhaleni pollution levels now being recorded
Historic step for air monitoring in Zululand.
THE official opening last week of an air quality monitoring station at eSikhaleni, at a cost of around R600 000, marks a major advance for the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA).
For the first time, the levels and potential effects of air pollutants on the residents of the sizeable suburb will be measured and evaluated.
This will include the concentrations of smoke particulates from open fires.
Located on the Tisand Technical High School property, the station will monitor Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Total Reduced Sulphites (TRS) and Particulate Matter (PM10), and also includes a meteorological station.
PM10, SO2 and TRS have historically been problematic due to dust, smoke and emissions from industries prevalent in Richards Bay.
All are associated with health effects such as headaches, nausea, sinus, allergies, asthma, wheezing and coughing.
Having been in operation for almost two decades, the RBCAA boasts a huge body of technical expertise and has gathered vast amounts of data essential to monitoring industrial emissions.
‘The growth of the RBCAA network to include eSikhaleni will ensure we are better placed to understand air quality deviations from the surrounding industries,’ said RBCAA Chairman, Hanif Mahommed.
‘It is also imperative that the RBCAA, continues to work collectively with all stakeholders to ensure that the latest addition to the network brings value to all residents in the uMhlathuze area.’
The RBCAA monitoring network consists of 11 stations, of which nine collect meteorological data, five measure PM10, seven measure SO2 and two measure TRS.
Hydrogen Fluoride passive monitoring program has this week been established at nine sites within Richards Bay.
