Traffic emissions, transported dust and open burning are all significant contributors to air pollution in africa. South african statement to the 15 th session of the commission for sustainable development theme. Water pollution is a major threat to south africa averda. Air pollution and atmosphere united nations, new york may 2007 mr. Air pollution has increased significantly in the last 25 years, and thats having health consequences especially in low and middleincome countries, according to a new global burden of disease gbd study published in the lancet medical journal researchers found that air pollution specifically, the small particles measured as less than pm2. Water pollution in south africa by jan lynzaad november 5, 2018 the pollution of rivers, lakes, and aquifers from domestic and industrial wastewater discharges, mining runoff, agrochemicals and other sources is now a growing threat to water resources in most countries in south africa.
The industrial sector is the prime contributor to air pollution. However, the continent also has a growing, youthful population that values improving the quality of life and readily adopts technologies toward this end 1 1. Southern africa is the southern region of the continent africa. Population growth and urbanization due to developments have also contributed immensely to the current pollution in africa.
In south africa, the number of regions that track air pollution have increased and been added to the database read the full article here in 20, joburg, being the most populated urban region in the country was unsurprisingly ranked as having the most polluted air. The community structure of the benthic meiofauna of the swartkops estuary, with special reference to nematodes, was investigated in relation to contaminants in the estuary 15. Shelter, access to adequate potable water, and sanitation are basic human needs that pose serious challenges to developing countries. The air quality monitoring network coverage is really good, and all the information is available publically and freely from the. Air pollution from coal power stations causes disease and. In south africa, outdoor and indoor air pollution continues to be perceived as a serious problem, with emissions for. Air pollution is not just a health risk but also a drag on development.
The water pollution in south africa has affected water quality and impacted negatively on public health and functioning of ecosystems including the rising cost of water treatment. Five of the most devastating pollution disasters in south. The soil allows the crops to absorb the mercury, which humans ingest. A study of blue petrel chicks at south africas remote marion island found that 90% of them had plastic in their stomachs. Sewer guard waste water grease removal pollution solution. Plastic waste pollution, aggravated by inefficient waste collection and limited recycling capabilities, is prevalent across africa. More precisely, it is a calculation of the major part of this cost. There are various reasons why south africa currently has a water pollution problem. The department of environmental affairs has published a new strategy paper aimed at addressing the high levels of air pollution. South africas air quality act of 2004 put in place various measures for the prevention of pollution and national norms and standards for the regulation of air quality in the country. Mercury is absorbed from the air into the soil and water. The report suggests that the primary sources of water pollution are untreated or partially treated effluents from municipal, industrial and mining wastewater discharges.
Sa air pollution an environmental threat the citizen. Pollution status of two river estuaries in the eastern. The impact of air pollution on mortality and morbidity globally and in south africa is large and places a burden on healthcare systems for treatment and care of air. Water pollution can be described as the contamination of water bodies such as oceans, lakes, aquifers and rivers. The abundance of informal settlements that have been established along south africas rivers is a major contributor to this pollution, due to the lack of. It also authorizes the minister of environmental affairs to enforce its provisions. Largest source of urban air pollution largest source of transport sector emissions 92% ghg in 2010 from. In the wake of world environment day yesterday, the world health organisation who has placed south african cities levels of air pollution below internationally accepted standards, with coal. Air pollution in africa is coming to the forefront and must not be ignored.
South africa s air quality act of 2004 put in place various measures for the prevention of pollution and national norms and standards for the regulation of air quality in the country. At pollution solution, we offer a range of top quality equipment that can remove oil and grease from waste water, and well work closely to pair you with the right system for your specific needs. Pdf vulnerability of south african communities to air pollution. The cost of air pollution in south africa lse research online. For example, in south africa the mercury levels are severe due to coal combustion and gold mining. Rondebosch 7700, south africa abstract plastic debris is a global marine pollutant which is inflicting everincreasing environmental and financial costs. The cost of air pollution in africa africa renewal. Estimation of pollution in south africa, using perception. Marine bird species are found to be eating and dying from consuming plastic particles. South africa transitioned to a water constrained economy circa 2002, so in effect water is being recycled from sewage systems back into agriculture and potable use. Learn more about the causes of water pollution in africa, the effects of pollution on the people of africa, and how you can get involved in the fight to. Many water quality studies conducted in south africa revealed that this problem contributes to the pollution of. The mandate of the south african environmental observation network.
The effects of water pollution on south africa essay. Water pollution involves the introduction of harmful, poisonous chemicals and other substances into waters both ground and surface making them undrinkable. Water quality problems and management in rural areas of. This affects the resource directly by making the water less acceptable for consumption either for food production or any other identified use, depending on the extent, severity, and temporal nature of. Air pollution in southern africa poses a serious risk to nature and human well being. It is estimated that gauteng generates approximately 42% of the total waste produced, or nearly half of all waste in south africa gdard, 2011. Ambient pollution and respiratory outcomes among schoolchildren in durban, south africa r n naidoo, mb chb, phd, 1 t g robins, md, mph, 2 s batterman, phd, 2 g mentz, phd, 2 and c jack, msc 1 1 discipline of occupational and environmental health, school of nursing and public health, college of health sciences, university of kwazulunatal. Many environmental issues affect southern africa due to urbanization and the acts needed in order to survive. Air pollution and the impact on public health in africa. Studies indicate that blood lead levels of children living in south africas urban areas are higher than those of children in most developed countries, including. Pdf an overview of environmental issues in southern africa. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. South africas scarce water resources are under threat due to extensive pollution.
In 2016, environmental justice organisation groundwork commissioned dr holland to assess the health impacts and associated economic costs of current emissions of air pollutants from coalfired power stations in south africa. In south africa, outdoor and indoor air pollution continues. And with the increased rate of water pollution in africa, so is the availability of clean water becoming limited. Africa is blessed with natural and mineral resources, but exploitation of these resources has led to extreme pollution of the environment.
Water pollution in south africa and its public health impact. Through the strategic combination of songs from the antiapartheid struggle, christian churches and traditional repertoires, peer educators attempt a symbolic. Water pollution has been an issue in many subsaharan african countries, including south africa. Drivers of air pollution in south africa air quality governance. Air pollution kills 20 000 per year in south africa as. Contribution of water pollution from inadequate sanitation.
Pdf pollution water and south africas poor anthony. Botswana, lesotho, namibia, swaziland and south africa increased from 15. Air pollution kills 20 000 people in south africa every year, costing the economy nearly r300million. Regus business centre 1st floor, block b, north park, black river park, 2 fir street. South africa 2010 59 water water south africa can be proud of the strides achieved in the design and development sector, which enabled the country to successfully host the world cup whilst minimising the associated demand for freshwater resource. This paper documents the human health hazards arising from both sewage and mine water. The two major types of pollution in south africa are air and marine pollution. It occurs when pollutants are discharged into water bodies without removing or treating harmful compounds.
Other than supplying a large client base in south africa we have supplied systems into australia, angola, botswana, mozambique, namibia, nigeria. Drivers of air pollution in south africa session 3. Water pollution of south africa essay 2116 words 9 pages. New statistics released in parliament show that 118 mines around south africa are polluting rivers, inadequately testing for contamination or otherwise dirtying south africas waterways. In other words, the contamination of water makes it unsafe for human use. This paper is a first attempt at calculating the cost of air pollution in africa. This makes africa especially suitable as a testbed to investigate the effectiveness of new.
This chapter describes an hivaids campaign in venda, south africa that employs female peer educators who incorporate and adapt a mix of antiapartheid, religious, and local musical styles into their public promotion of safer sex. South africa blue sky publications pty ltd ta thesouthafrican number. His findings are contained in a report entitled health impacts of coal fired power plants in south africa. South africa one of the worst environmental polluters. Pdf air quality and human health impacts in southern africa. The south african minister of water and sanitation, gugile nkwitini, has revealed that water pollution poses the single biggest threat to the countrys water security and quality. Result of survey about air pollution, water pollution, greens and parks satisfaction, light and noise pollution, etc. Local researchers were not surprised by the reports findings. The republic of south africa, along with the republic of senegal is a leading example for africa, for being the country with the most transparency on its air quality. The study area, south durban, south africa, is recognised as one of the most highly industrialised and heavily polluted areas in southern africa. In south africa, the now replaced atmospheric pollution prevention act act no.
There are a number of contributors to water scarcity, ranging from the dumping of industrial waste to rising temperatures due to global warming. Air pollution can affect human health in a number of ways with both acute shortterm and chronic longterm effects. How are these drivertrends influencing emission trends. Vulnerability of south african communities to air pollution. Air pollution and health impacts studies in south africa re flect that the people expose d to air pollution experience health problems including resp iratory conditions such as wh eeze, shortness. Consumption of petrol and diesel in south africa from 1988 to 2009. Government is worried about alarmingly high levels of air. Track changes publication series 4 book 5 impacts of. Lesotho is surrounded by south africa it is in the middle of south africa. In the seas off southern africa and adjacent southern ocean, entanglement has been recorded for at least 5 species of marine mammals, seabird species, 2 turtles, and 6 shark species. Developing countries like south africa have a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in productivity losses and mortality due to high concentrations of air pollution, namely, fine particulate matter pm. Pdf on mar 1, 2004, m matooane and others published vulnerability of south african communities to air pollution find, read and cite all the research you. It is estimated that every year approximately 2 million tons of waste is dumped illegally in gauteng gdard, 2009.
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