dd4-2904ac32775a701d.pdf

The Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for eThekwini Municipality, produced in April 2007 by eThekwini Health and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, establishes a scientific framework to address urban air pollution. The plan focuses on priority pollutants—including sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, benzene, and odours—particularly within the industrialised South Durban Basin. It integrates a monitoring network, emission inventories, and dispersion modelling via the AirQUIS software system to inform abatement strategies and ensure compliance with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2005.

• The eThekwini Municipality has seen a significant reduction in sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions between 1997 and 2006, with a reported 45% decrease. This improvement is attributed to fuel switching, the installation of a scrubber at Mondi, and the substitution of coal with Sasol gas in some industries.
• A health study conducted among schoolchildren found that those living in the industrialised south of the city have a statistically higher risk of persistent asthma (Odds Ratio=1.82) and bronchial hyper responsiveness (Odds Ratio=2.55) compared to those in the north.
• Benzene concentrations in eThekwini for 2004 and 2005 were generally below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 10 μg/m³, but most sites exceeded the 2010 target of 5 μg/m³. Gasoline vehicles were identified as the largest source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), emitting 15,085 tons per annum in 2004.
• Particulate matter (PM10) exhibits a regional profile, meaning concentrations are influenced by sources outside the municipality. All monitoring stations in the network recorded exceedances of the 24-hour standard in 2005, with the highest levels often coinciding with winter inversion conditions.
• Odours are a primary source of public complaints in eThekwini, particularly in the South Durban Basin. Key contributors include hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from the Southern wastewater treatment works, Mondi, and refineries, as well as formaldehyde from industries in the Jacobs area.
• Flaring at oil refineries is a significant source of pollution complaints, accounting for 10% of such complaints in the South Durban Basin. The plan notes that small-scale flaring is particularly problematic because poor combustion can lead to the release of un-combusted hydrocarbons and H2S, causing odours.
• The municipality utilizes the AirQUIS (Air Quality Information System) software, developed by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, to integrate environmental monitoring, emission modelling, and dispersion and exposure modelling.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). dd4-2904ac32775a701d.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD4.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. dd4-2904ac32775a701d.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD4.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=dd4-2904ac32775a701d.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD4.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnddd42904ac32775a701dpdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{dd4-2904ac32775a701d.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DD4.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }