Company takes measures to control gypsum dust
MacDonald's Transport is working with the municipality and neighbouring companies to deal with the issue of gypsum dust blowing all over the area.
BUSINESSES in Alpha Crescent, Umbilo are concerned that a company on the road is storing what they believe is lime.
According to one business owner who asked not to be named, three months ago MacDonald’s Transport started storing heaps of the substance.
“When we first saw this, around 26 companies in the area complained to the municipality. We don’t know if anything was done, however there is now more being stored on the property,” he said.
He said once the substance was dried, the wind blew it all over the place. The situation worsened when it was being loaded or off-loaded.
“I’m concerned this poses a health risk. It gets blown all over cars and people’s washing nearby,” he said.
He said measures had to be taken to contain the substance. The company had started to cover the mounds with sails, but this appeared to be shortlived. “This sort of thing should be stored at the harbour in a proper storage facility, not in this area, out in the open,” he said.
eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said the municipality’s Health Unit had sent staff to investigate the matter and appropriate action was taken.
“The owner of the company engaged all neighbouring companies and put in place mitigation strategies to minimise any health impact,” she said.
Ian Naude, general manager of MacDonald’s Transport Durban, said: “We confirm that the product stored at our Alpha Crescent facility is Natural Gypsum which is a non-hazardous product. We have been in constant communication with eThekwini Health, by way of meetings and site inspections both before and during the storing of the product. Further to this we have also been in communication with all neighbours willing to liaise with us.”
He said precautions had been put in place in order to minimise the effect that storing and handling of the product might have on any third party.
“We continue to do our utmost to minimise any effect to third parties. We urge businesses not to hesitate to contact us should they have any complaints or queries,” said Naude.
