Abstract
Increasing population growth and rapid urbanisation in South Africa’s major centres have resulted in a race for geographical space. The proximity of residential areas to industries is decreasing, and with this, the concern for air quality impacts on people’s health. More stringent regulations and the roll-out of atmospheric emission licenses have attempted to curb this concern, at least from a legislative perspective, by limiting the levels of exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. However, implementation, accountability and active community involvement remain a problem in many areas across the country. Nevertheless, success stories in which public and private entities work together for better air quality management, do exist and offer an opportunity for learning. Established 17 years ago in response to a concern for the health of people living and working in Richards Bay, the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA) brings together industry, government and the community with the common goals of improving air quality in the region and encouraging polluters to take responsibility for their actions. The tried and tested formula, and long term success of the RBCAA is a demonstration of the fact that integrated air quality management is not limited to the local authority and is better accomplished as a collective. This paper outlines the strengths and common obstacles faced by the RBCAA, with the goal of showcasing a template for success in unlocking clean air opportunities for all.
Highlights
On 17 October 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)1 declared that air pollution in its entirety is a potential carcinogen along with known dangers such as asbestos, tobacco and ultraviolet radiation
We investigated the benefit of the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA) to industry, the community and local government and identify the strengths and common obstacles faced by the Association
It is clear that industry, civil society and local government have an important role to play in good air quality and environmental management
Summary
On 17 October 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared that air pollution in its entirety is a potential carcinogen along with known dangers such as asbestos, tobacco and ultraviolet radiation. Accounting for over 220,000 lung cancer deaths worldwide in 2010, the agency considers air pollution to be a serious environmental carcinogen. In South Africa, the air quality is generally considered to be good. There are a number of “hotspots” around the country where severe air quality problems are experienced (DEA 2005). In 2007 an estimated 3.7% of national cardiopulmonary disease related deaths and 5.1% of trachea, bronchus and lung cancers in adults older than 30 years were attributed to ambient air pollution (CSIR 2012) High ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2) and fine particulate (PM10) concentrations are common in these areas and primarily result of fossil fuel burning in the residential, industrial and power generation sectors (Scorgie 2012).
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