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Air quality is an issue of concern in Mpumalanga, as it is in
many other parts of South Africa. A wide variety of air pollution
exist in Mpumalanga, ranging from veld fires to industrial
processes, agriculture, mining activities, power generation, paper
and pulp processing, vehicle use and domestic use of fossil fuels
(Mpumalanga Province, 2002). Different pollutants are associated
with each activity, ranging
from volatile
organic compounds and heavy metals through to dust and odours.
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Electricity Generation |
The energy sector remains a dominant source
of air pollution in Mpumalanga with
the province's coal-fired power stations contributing approximately 70%
of the total electricity generated in South Africa by
Eskom (Eskom, 2002a). The generation of electricity through
coal-fired power stations produces pollutants such as
particulates, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. A
decreasing trend has been shown in the relative particulate emissions
during power generation (Eskom, 2002a). Much of the
demand for electricity in the country thus generates
ambient air quality impacts that are felt largely in Mpumalanga
and the surrounding
areas.
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| Household Energy
Use |
Trends in household energy use provides an insight into domestic
reliance on fossil fuels, potentially contributing to poor air
quality. The majority of households in Mpumalanga rely on
electricity from the national grid, with some use of candles and to
a lesser extent, paraffin. Candles are used as an energy source for
lighting whereas paraffin can be used for both lighting and cooking.
Electricity use appears greatest in Nkangala District Municipality,
which also has the largest population of the four district
municipalities (Municipal Demarcation Board, 2002). Electricity is
used to a greater extent in urban areas than in non-urban areas.
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Respiratory Diseases |
Little
information could be obtained on clinic
admissions for respiratory diseases. Information compiled by Beke
(2003) showed a definite trend towards increased lower respiratory
treat infections in children under 5 years of age in Mpumalanga
in the winter months. An isolated
study conducted in 1990 showed that coughs, wheezing, asthma and chest
illnesses were more frequently reported in polluted areas rather than
non-polluted areas (Zwi, et. al., 1990). Although no clear
trends in air quality and associated health effects can be reported,
it is clear that much of the industry in Mpumalanga contributes to
the poor air quality sometimes found
in the province.
The following
indicators were used to reflect air
quality in Mpumalanga:
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