Is the air that we breathe dangerous?
Richards Bay foul air health study release imminent.
RICHARDS Bay residents await with ‘bated breath’ the results of a study that may link air pollution to respiratory and other health complaints.
Commissioned five years ago, the results should be published this week, according to Jay Puckree of the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Speaking in eSikhaleni, Puckree said the aim of the study was to assess potential health risks to the public through exposure to criteria air pollutants.
It also includes an asthma prevalence study.
The imminent release of the findings was welcomed by the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA), which has been collecting air quality data in the city since its inception in 1996.
As far back as 1999, in response to high levels of public concern, the Association commissioned the Medical Research Council – Wits Medical School to undertake a preliminary investigation in relation to a proposed health study in Richards Bay.
The outcome indicated the need for further investigation but due to a lack of funding the RBCAA was unable to proceed with a Health Study.
Impartiality
‘We were approached in February 2009, by the then Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, regarding a health study being undertaken by the Department,’ said RBCAA Communications Officer, Sandy Camminga.
‘A presentation was made to our Board of Directors and we were formally invited to serve on the project team, which we declined as we wanted to retain our impartiality so as to be in a position to independently and objectively review and comment on the study.
‘We placed on record our support for the study and we made emissions data available to the Consultants, Gondwana Environmental Solutions.
‘In 2001, the RBCAA was afforded the opportunity to comment on the Air Quality Monitoring Report produced by Gondwana and after we had the report independently peer reviewed, we submitted comments in November 2011.
‘Until this latest news of the imminent release of the study there had been no progress report from the Department.’
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