Issued by: Ministry for Environmental Affairs and Tourism
19 March 1998
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO 106: MARCH 1998
106. MR EK MOORCROFT ASKED THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM:
(1) Whether unacceptably high levels of pollution were measured within the Greater Cape Town metropolitan area any time in 1997; if so, (a) how frequently were such unacceptable levels reached, (b) what was the nature of the pollutive substances recorded and (c) what levels were these substances recorded:
(2) Whether these substances pose any threats to health; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether any steps are being taken to eliminate this pollution; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
Mr EK Moorcroft Secretary to Parliament Hansard papers Office SA Communication Service Press
106. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM REPLIES:
(1) Yes.
1(a) and 1(b) and 1(c): The National Guidelines where exceeded as follows:
POLLUTANT NUMBER OF DAYS ON MAXIMUM LEVELS MEASURED WHICH 1 HOUR LIMITS IN UG/M3 WERE EXCEEDED
(2) No, not confirmed yet; only causing the "brown haze" phenomenon.
(3) The recently completed Brown Haze Study has apportioned air pollution in the Metropolitan Area and has made recommendations to reduce the incidence of brown haze. The Cape Town Metropolitan Council (CMC) has studied this report and recommendations. A diverse action plan has been drawn up indicating actions that can be taken at both local and national level. Once this report has been approved by the six Metropolitan Local Councils, the control measures will be implemented by the CMC and the Government will be called upon to execute certain measures on a national basis.