Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment gives progress report on Sulphur Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulphide smell experienced by public in Gauteng and North West Provinces – African Business

The task team that investigated complaints about the foul-smelling stench over Gauteng, North West and North West on 7th June 2022 found that a combination od weather and industrial emissions was likely to have caused the stench. 

The task team consists of environmental and air-quality officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the respective provincial departments in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and the Free State.   

The task team’s interim internal report, handed to Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, reflects that the sulphur smell may have emanated from industry operations in the Secunda and Mpumalanga regions and as a result of unusual air circulation patterns that saw the smell being blown over Gauteng and parts of the North West during the week of 5 to 12 June 2022.

The task team’s investigations are ongoing to determine whether there was an industrial emergency that could have contributed to the malodourous smell that many people had detected and to determine the possible role that the prevailing meteorological conditions could have played in this regard. 

The interim investigations reveal that a low pressure system in the Mozambique channel caused unusual circulation patterns over the region during days when the public complained about the strong sulphurous smell. These conditions may have caused south-easterly winds to blow air pollution over Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West, especially Ekurhuleni.

Ambient air quality monitoring observations, reflected on South African Air Quality Information System SAAQIS (SAAQIS), show that ambient levels of sulfur dioxide were higher than normal during the period in question, despite industry meeting air quality standards in Gauteng & Mpumalanga.

The interim investigation found that no emergency incidents (upsets, start-ups or shutdowns) were reported to any facilities in Mpumalanga North West Gauteng and the Free State. This is despite the possibility of large amounts of sulphur and/or hydrogen sulphide being released in the week from 7 to 12 June 2022. 

Some public complaints about the sulphurous smell were due to high levels of sulphur dioxide during the time in question. However, these elevated levels are unlikely to have had any adverse health effects on the surrounding areas.

The Task Team’s role is to investigate and suggest possible policy interventions to further reduce hydrogen-sulphide pollution. They also address concerns around public safety, the potential long-term health consequences of exposure. This will help improve management of sulphur dioxide emissions sources and the management of hydrogen sulphide emission source beyond public complaints.

The ongoing investigation will also include discussions with industries located in areas where hydrogen sulphide may be of concern to discuss short and long-term solutions for sulfurous odorants.

Distributed by APO Group for Republic Of South Africa: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment