South Africa’s Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk acknowledged on Monday that current legislation did not prescribe ambient air quality standards relating to emissions from bulk fuel storage facilities.
Recognising the limits of the existing legislation, his department was “in the process of promulgating standards for benzene and other hydrocarbons” in terms of the new National Environment: Air Quality Act of 2004.
“This will go a long way in addressing levels of hydrocarbons in ambient air,” he said.
In reply to a question from Democratic Alliance MP Eddie Trent, Van Schalkwyk says the emissions of hydro carbon vapour at such facilities “may be a threat to the health of those who work or live in close proximity to these installations if the concentrations of such vapours are above acceptable standards”.
While the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1965 required a registration certificate which set limits of emissions and other parameters such as floating seals aimed at controlling “fugitive emissions”, it did not prescribe ambient air quality standards.
“There is a concern that the emission limits set in registration certificates may not be fully protective of the health of those who work or live in proximity to these emissions.”
He said the Occupational Health and Safety legislation — administered by the labour department — protected those who worked in these facilities. – I-Net Bridge