Network set up to monitor Highveld air quality
August 25, 2008
Posted in Green News
Anybody driving into Joburg on a winter’s morning will have seen the air pollution that obscures the city skyline. It’s particularly bad in the mornings and late afternoons and, according to the department of environmental affairs and tourism (DEAT), much of it is caused by residential coal burning and veld fires. The area is also home to many heavy industries.
As part of plans to improve the air quality in the area, DEAT has set up ambient air quality monitoring stations, funded by the Royal Danish Embassy, in Ermelo, Hendrina, Middelburg, Secunda and Witbank. Others will be installed in Balfour, Middelburg, Standerton and Witbank, says DEAT in a media statement. Each monitoring station is equipped with instruments to measure pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, benzene, lead and carbon monoxide, as well as mercury. Read more
Highveld declared air pollution hot spot
November 26, 2007
Posted in Green News
A 31,000 square kilometre area extending across eastern Gauteng and western Mpumalanga has been declared an air pollution hot spot by the minister of environmental affairs and tourism.
The “Highveld Priority Area” is home to 3.6-million people and includes Witbank, Middelburg, Secunda, Standerton, Edenvale, Boksburg, Benoni and Balfour.
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