By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape tops the list of 15 least polluted regional cities in Africa, a new report shows.
Swiss technology company IQAir on Tuesday released its 2022 World Air Quality report.
Some of the least polluted cities in South Africa include Grabouw, Nieuwoudtville, Knysna, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Hendrina, Mokopane, KwaMbonamb, Bethlehem, Secunda and Howick.
Thabazimbi in Limpopo, which is a well-known a mining town, has been ranked amongst cities with the poorest air quality in Africa, followed by Ekurhuleni.
Thabazimbi experienced several fire breakouts in 2022 which saw concentrations of air pollutants rise by 50% compared to 2021.
The report assesses air quality data from monitoring stations across more than 7 300 cities globally.
It considers the concentrations of fine particles of an air pollutant known as PM2.5 which is the most harmful.
PM2.5 includes particles of sulfates, nitrates, black carbon and ammonium, the report indicated.
According to the report, PM2.5 can be produced from human activities like burning wood and coal, agricultural processes, industrial activity and processes, power generation, and from vehicle engines.
Natural sources of PM2.5 are dust storms, wildfires and sandstorms, the report indicated.
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 negatively impacts health, and individuals can suffer respiratory illnesses like heart disease. It can also negatively impact mental health, the report indicates.
Last year, eight of South Africa’s cities including Bloemfontein, Tshwane and Johannesburg were among those listed as most polluted in Africa. IQAir, however, notes that data on air quality across the continent is generally sparse.
Ekhurhuleni is known for industrial activity as well as aviation in the area. It also falls within the Highveld Priority Area. A high court in March 2022 declared the air quality in the HPA violates the constitutional right to a safe and healthy environment. The court also ordered the government to clean the dirty air. The HPA is home to Eskom’s coal power stations and some of Sasol’s operations – both companies are the two largest greenhouse gas emitters in the country.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Creecy is seeking leave to appeal an aspect of the judgment in order to clarify the interpretation of the law.
The IQAir report noted that drivers of South Africa’s air pollution include transport, energy generation and consumption and industrial growth, among other factors. Pollution from coal-fired power also risks exposing people to sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, the report warned:
South Africans living especially close to the country’s coal-fired power plants are exposed to higher levels of SO2, CO2, NOx, and particulate matter, and are more susceptible to experiencing negative health impacts related to air pollution.