Air pollution remains a concern for SDCEA during Covid-19 lockdown
Environmental activist and SDCEA coordinator, Desmond D’sa said that pollution had dissipated by a considerable amount during the lockdown period with relatively clean air and no bad smells.
STREETS are empty, cities are silent, factories are closed and skies are quiet. Surely this has to be good for the environment? According to the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), the answer is yes, but air pollution remains a concern.
Environmental activist and SDCEA coordinator, Desmond D’sa shared that pollution had dissipated by a considerable amount during the lockdown period, with relatively clean air and no bad smells. He did however confirm that his office has received several complaints from residents about companies that are still emitting harmful pollutants.
READ: #COVID-19: SDCEA public notice
“The South Durban community shares their neighbourhood with two of the country’s biggest oil refineries practically sitting on the residents’ doorsteps. These refineries have controversially been major sources of air pollution and the associated high levels of asthma, cancer and leukemia. With air pollution killing an estimated 20,000 South Africans every year, this is yet another case of profit prioritised over people,” said Shanice Firmin of SDCEA.
She added that due to low economic and public demand for fuel and gas during the lockdown, the production rate of refineries has drastically reduced and at times halted production processes when storage tanks have reached their capacity.
“Ultimately, emissions have reduced for the meantime but this doesn’t mean that there is no emission of pollution. While plants are shutdown, maintenance work continues and pollution remains at its highest peak due to the flaring (burning) and releasing of gasses in the pipeline of the plant. This not only causes air pollution but noise pollution for the surrounding communities. We urge residents to log complaints experienced through this period of the lockdown,” said Shanice.
To log an air pollution complaint contact Santosh on 031-311-5162 or 031-311-3555 during the day and 031-361-0000 at night.
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