City Health to monitor air quality near refinery

By Tina George
15 November 2007

The City of Cape Town has purchased two volatile organic compound analysers to monitor air quality for substances like benzene and toluene.

One of these analysers will be installed near the Chevron oil refinery in Milnerton and the second analyser installed at a monitoring station in Cape Town’s central business district.

“Through this the analysers will alert municipalities to any transgressions of unacceptable standards with potential health risks to expose population groups, says” Chairperson of Health Portfolio committee, James Vos.

Major Improvement has also been made in the household, traffic and business surveys, which form part of the Khayelitsha Air Pollution Strategy Project.

“Once the data has been analysed, City Health will start developing appropriate interventions in partnership with the affected communities,” says Vos.

From 1 January to 30 September, the City paid 1 628 visits to facilities in response to complaints of possible breakings of the Air Pollution Control by-law.