Air quality in Middelburg among worst in the world

For years, Middelburg residents have frequently issued complaints about the town’s constant and egregious dust build-up and poor air quality. The data suggests these concerns are warranted.

According to the Swiss air quality tracking company IQAir, Middelburg scored 153 on the US Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday night, placing our town among the most polluted in the world.

Between 20:00 and 21:00 on Wednesday, Middelburg’s air was measured as unhealthy or dangerous to the population at large, and among the poorest quality on earth.

As shown, based on the measured AQI score, Middelburg would have ranked fifth on the list of the most polluted major cities in the world.

Slotting above Jakarta in Indonesia’s score of 149 and below Lahore, Pakistan, and their 163 score.

The above is a live ranking of cities with poor air quality, with the data observed at 10:20 on Friday (November 1).

IQAir is assisted by the South African Air Quality Information and the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Using the AQI, any score above the measure of 100 is indicative of dangerous air quality to sensitive groups.

Sensitive groups are defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as people with heart and lung disease, older adults (older than 65), children (under 14), people with diabetes, and people of low socioeconomic status.

A score above the measure of 150 is categorised as unhealthy for the public at large.

The most common form of air pollution found in Middelburg is Particle Matter (PM) 2.5, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency describing it as ‘fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller’.

According to the European Environment Agency, “PM 2.5 is the air pollutant driving the most significant health problems and premature mortality.”

Analysing the data

Using data from the New York Times recommended mobile application AirCare, Middelburg consistently experiences roughly 10 to 14 hours of moderately unhealthy air daily.

AirCare has also regularly indicated that an average of three hours of Middelburg’s air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

This concerning air quality usually occurs between 11:00 to 15:00.

This is particularly concerning to primary school and younger children as oftentimes breaks and after-school sporting activities such as rugby or netball take place during these hours.

According to AirCare, the application ‘uses a range of available data from stations belonging to governments, institutions, volunteers, and universities, as well as satellite data from the European Space Agency’.

Healthy and safe air is indicated by the colour green, moderate air quality that is harmful over prolonged exposure to sensitive air groups is yellow and dangerous or unhealthy air to sensitive groups is orange.

Experts’ opinions

Director of Ozakwethu Dust Specialists and dust suppression specialist Ruan de Jager told the Middelburg Observer that in his opinion, out of the many mining and industrial towns he has previously visited or resided in, Middelburg’s air quality is the poorest.

In last week’s issue of the Middelburg Observer, paediatrician Dr Derek Bissett said, “There are 50% more children with respiratory illnesses than when I started as a doctor in Middelburg 30 years ago.”

Dr Bissett further stated, “We see more and more children that are sick, even adults, that sound like they are asthmatic. They can’t get rid of the cough or phlegm on their chest.

“Even small babies under one are suffering. After recovering from an illness, they do not get better quickly, instead, they get the reaction of inflammation, phlegm, coughing, and even bronchospasm.”

Bronchospasm is the tightening of the airways that connect your windpipe and lungs. This limits the amount of oxygen your body receives and can make it difficult to breathe.
If left untreated, there are severe long-term health effects, including respiratory failure.

“No allergies, no family history of respiratory illness, and now they have chronic asthma. For a lot of children, this is caused by the environment.”

Dr Bissett concluded by stating, “It is a known fact that Middelburg and eMalahleni air is the worst in the country. I recommend something must be done to get hold of the mines. Check the pollution levels they release into the air.”

Impact of surrounding mines

In September, DA Ward 14 Councillor Elsie Vermooten held a meeting with Izimbiwa Coal’s Graspan Colliery to discuss the rampant air pollution affecting the residents who live within her district.

The meeting was attended by Vermooten, De Jager, DA Mpumalanga Provincial Chairperson Bosman Grobler, and members of the mine’s management and operational team.

Vermooten previously told the newspaper that the meeting was productive, with Izimbiwa Coal outlining their plans to prevent the spread of air pollution namely by informing Vermooten of the scheduled blasting times at the mine.

This information is shared on Vermooten’s Ward 14 WhatsApp group of over 800 participants.

These notifications allow residents to know the exact time the blasts are set to commence and complete and the affected areas.

Izimbiwa Coal declined to comment on the meeting with Vermooten or the corresponding newspaper article.

The mine also asked Vermooten to not share their resolutions to address the concerns publicly.