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Air Pollution

latest news & developments
Toxic plume: The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air estimates that the pollution from Sasol's plant resulted in about 23 800 years of life lost a year. Photo: Supplied
AIR POLLUTION

Deadly cost of Sasol's Secunda pollution

A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reveals that emissions from Sasol's Secunda coal-to-liquids complex contribute to an estimated 1,000 deaths and R19…

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
High-risk areas are concentrated in townships and informal settlements, including Khayelitsha, Crossroads, Philippi and Gugulethu.
AIR POLLUTION

1.9 million Cape Town residents face high to very high air pollution risk, new UCT research reveals

More than 40% of Cape Town’s population is exposed to high or very high air pollution risk, according to a new UCT study that reveals sharp environmental inequalities across the…

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
The sulphuric stench that drifted over large parts of Johannesburg last week – described by residents as reeking of “rotten eggs”, “cat urine” and “burning sulphur” – has dissipated.
AIR POLLUTION

“Rotten egg” smell over Joburg highlights toxic air pollution risks

Air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area threatens lives and violates environmental rights, as hydrogen sulphide levels recently spiked over Johannesburg

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
‘Not us’: Sasol in Secunda. The company says all its emissions monitoring shows levels well within the limits authorised in its atmospheric emissions licences. Photo: Supplied
AIR POLLUTION

Residents mull source of pong

People have been reporting strong sulphur odours causing headaches and eye irritation. The city is monitoring air quality while authorities investigate potential Highveld emissions

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Toxic smoke: The illegal dumping site from Cedar Creek forces residents to breathe an acrid haze from nightly burning. Photo: Supplied
AIR POLLUTION

‘We can’t breathe’: Joburg communities choke as illegal dumping sparks toxic air crisis

Every night, the skyline turns grey as illegal waste fires sweep through mountains of discarded household waste, building debris, electronic, medical waste and toxic materials

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
AIR POLLUTION

Toxic storm brewing in Soweto’s Snake Park neighbourhood

Residents living beside an old mine dump face health problems as floods and heatwaves worsen the dangers of mining pollution

  • Bhekisisa Team
7 min read
Eskom and Sasol, which are considered two of the country’s biggest polluters, have been granted postponements, suspensions and/or alternative limits of the minimum emissions standards since 2015. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
AIR POLLUTION

UN special rapporteur: Toxic pollution in SA fuelled by corporate greed and government inaction 

Marcos Orellana noted the poor disposal of waste and hazardous substances, the wide use of pesticides and weak enforcement of regulations

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
The case challenges the government’s failure to enforce regulations that would protect people from air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area. (Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
AIR POLLUTION

Landmark ‘Deadly Air’ case heads to supreme court of appeal

Environment organisations groundWork and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement argue that regulations are necessary to save lives on the polluted Highveld

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Environmental justice organisations and waste pickers say that burning rubbish will cause air pollution and take away livelihoods. (Chris Louw/groundWork)
AIR POLLUTION

Garbage plan: Johannesburg’s planned waste incinerator sparks outrage

Environmental justice organisations and waste pickers say that burning rubbish will cause air pollution and take away livelihoods

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
Dire: Sasol has been allowed, for years, to exceed the minimum emission standards despite sulpher dioxide and other pollutants contributing to ill-health and death. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Getty Images
LIFE AFTER COAL CAMPAIGN

Creecy’s Sasol decision ‘makes a mockery’ of air pollution laws

Life After Coal slams the environment minister’s decision to allow the company further leniency

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
The Stellenbosch University team, together with Rham Equipment company, retrofits a fuel-driven minibus taxi, converting it into an electric vehicle. Photo supplied
AFRICA

Electric transport ‘promising’ in Africa, says new report

The continent could emerge as a leader in decarbonising its transport sector

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
South Africa is one of the largest air-polluted countries in Africa according to a report by non-profit organisation Greenpeace Africa. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
AIR POLLUTION

Load-shedding obscures the understanding of South Africa’s air quality

Authorities reported that most air quality monitoring stations were frequently offline due to ongoing power blackouts

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
South Africa’s largest corporate polluters have worked persistently over the past two decades, in public and in private, to derail an effective climate policy response by the government, according to non-profit shareholder activism organisation Just Share.
AFRICAN CLIMATE SUMMIT

The heat is on: Why climate change will leave you gasping for air

Burning fossil fuels makes the Earth warmer, causing weather patterns to change. In areas with air pollution, this can make it even harder for people with lung diseases to breathe

  • Nicole Ludolph
  • Linda Pretorius
8 min read
Former environment minister Barbara Creecy.
AIR POLLUTION

Creecy taken to court for allowing excess hydrogen sulphide pollution in the Vaal

Environmental groups argue that Steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa is emitting the toxic gas at levels in excess of those prohibited

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
File photo
AIR POLLUTION

Ban hazardous pesticides now, SA told

Chemicals banned in Europe are exported and used in South Africa

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read