Carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure from vehicular transportation and other industrial activities in the vicinity of Umlazi Township, South of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

Exposure to noxious industrial fumes and its health consequences are of critical environmental concern for residents of the Umlazi Township of South Durban in South Africa. Diverse industries located around the Township include those of transportation, petroleum refining, chemical, paper, sugar, plastics, textiles, galvanizing and paint producing. Pollution from these industries takes many forms, with the most potent fugitive emissions coming from the transportation industry. Since previous studies on noxious emissions from this highly industrialized Township have focused largely on the health effects of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, it is believed that a more circumspective approach engendering a look at exposure outcomes of other fugitive components of industrial emissions in the Township, specifically carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), is desirable. Continuous monitoring of air quality over the Township was performed using an Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) gas analyser, incorporating an environmental air quality monitor. South African National Standards (SANS) guidance was used to estimate risks from exposure to CO, O3, and NO2. Elevated levels of O3 and NO2 at 44.3 μg/m3 and 76.0 μg/m3, on average, respectively, were recorded. The cumulative data obtained provided information on the public health consequences of high emission levels of these oxides in ambient air, which can be used for directing health risk prevention strategies.