AN increasing number of peat fires has become a new source of complaints for the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA).
The noxious odour produced by the fires has especially affected residents of Wildenweide and Veldenvlei.
This report was noted at the Association’s 18th AGM.
Statistics showed no overall increase in air quality complaints, which totalled 188 in 2014, compared to 187 in 2013.
Majority were related to Mondi odours (78), peat fires (29) and sewage odours (22).
Of concern was an increasing trend in PM10 (particulates able to enter the lungs) pollutants, with 31 measured exceedences and comparatively high levels at the new eSikhaleni monitoring station.
In total there were 31 measured exceedences of SO2 (sulphur dioxide), all recorded at Scorpio and Harbour West stations, while there was a noted increase of SO2 in the Richards Bay CBD, measured at the Central Sports Complex.
The system also logged 164 measured exceedances of TRS (Total Reduced Sulphites), of which 27 were measured at eSikhaleni and 137 at CBD.
The majority were attributed to process upsets at the Mondi plant due to internal and external power outages.
High data capture rate
‘Despite the loss of data during load shedding, we achieved an above 96% data capture rate, which is testament to the integrity of our network of 12 stations,’ said RBCAA Managing Director Hanif Mahommed.
‘What we have achieved is purely due to the integrity and genuine pursuit for a better environment on the part of our members, who comprise the city’s large industries.
‘Together, we have successfully encouraged corporates to continuously improve performance.
‘With regard to EIA’s, the quality of data gathered and the collective body of expertise within the RBCAA allows us to make informed and scientifically sound comments and decisions related to air quality.’
Mahommed said events of note during the year included RBCAA’s move from the Civic Centre to the Smart Plan Offices, decommissioning of the St Lucia Station monitoring, commissioning of the eSikhaleni Station at Tisand Technical High school and the start of a year-long HF (hydrogen fluoride) monitoring project.
RBCAA was praised as a case study success at the National Association for Clean Air conference.
Incoming board elected
At the AGM, voting for the Board of Directors took place and all the existing members were re-elected:
Corporate directors –BHP Billiton, Foskor, RBM, Tata Steel, Mondi Richards Bay
Non-corporate director – Sandy Camminga (Founder Member), Zululand Fire Protection Association, Donovan Barton-Hobbs (Honorary Member).
Commitment
Two guest presentations were made during the meeting.
Tony Roberts of Zululand Fire Protection Association warned of the dire dangers posed by runaway fires – including underground peat fires – given the current drought situation.
‘But it is the people that cause the problem, not the environment.
‘Almost half the number of fires (620 in the past year) are caused by arson and a quarter by honey hunters smoking out the bees.
‘Fighting these fires is both costly and dangerous and there is no end in sight of the drought.’
Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone CEO, Phumi Motsoahae gave the assurance of ‘a very strong regime around clean air’ when assessing prospective RBIDZ investors.
‘We are poised to release our potential and our plans must be subject to thorough RBCAA scrutiny.
While the meeting applauded the RBIDZ master plan, it did issue strong caution that water availability will be a constraining factor.
