Environmental department to probe Gauteng’s ‘sulphur smell’

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries said on Thursday it would investigate a “sulphur” stench that plagued parts of Pretoria for a couple of days recently.

The bad smell, which had seen some residents complaining of headaches, had local residents abuzz on social media over the past weekend.

The department will be joined by the Gert Sibande district municipality as they visit the Sasol Secunda operations, which are believed to be a possible source of the smell experienced in parts of Gauteng.

In a statement the department said the stench was likely a combination of elevated levels of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.

“While there are many sources in the area that could be contributing to these elevated levels, the district municipality’s air quality officer has been informed that the Sasol Secunda operation is experiencing stressed conditions as the facility started ramping up operations,” it said.

“From the ambient air quality monitoring observations on the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), sulphur dioxide ambient levels, while elevated, have remained in compliance with ambient standards in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Mpumalanga.”

The department said the pollutant causes an odour nuisance, even at concentrations far below those that cause health hazards.

It said people who are sensitive to unpleasant odours were likely to experience headaches and nausea.

Once investigations are completed, authorities would decide on any further course of action.