The MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), Councillor Nico de Jager, this month officially relaunched the newly revamped air quality monitoring station in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg.

This event formed part of World Environment Week. It was held under the theme ‘Air Pollution’, and sought to encourage learners, residents and businesses to explore sustainable alternatives in an effort to reduce pollution.

The CoJ emphasised that the overwhelming support from city entities and departments such as Environment and Infrastructure Services, Environmental Health, Pikitup, Joburg City Parks and the Joburg Zoo, as well as the national Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), showcased how joint efforts by the different levels of government could have a great impact to benefit many communities.

“Residents of the city are exposed to relatively poor-quality air, and are exposed to airborne particulates (fine particles from smoke, haze, biomass burning and automotives),” commented De Jager.

He indicated that this left the city vulnerable to pollution from coal burning, wood fires, waste burning, transport and industrial activities.

“This is a community asset and we need your help to protect it. “Two of our stations were vandalised in the past – one at the Crown interchange and one in Buccleuch. We plead with our communities to report vandalism to law enfo

He indicated that the department was currently in talks with the relevant authorities to provide improved security for all stations.

“We encourage residents and learners to be ambassadors for the community,” said national DEA representative Vumile Senene.

He told the crowd that Orange Farm was an air-quality priority area and the department would continue working with schools and the community in the area.

The CoJ has nine air-quality monitoring stations across all regions, but focus is weighted towards low-income communities with a strong reliance on coal-fired stoves. Since 2004, the city has spent over R5-million on building and revamping the monitoring stations.

Vehicles and domestic fuel burning are the biggest sources of air pollutants in the city.

Data collected from the stations assists the CoJ in making informed decisions to better manage air pollution and develop policies that recognise the importance of conserving natural resources.

nformation collected is available to the public on the South African Air Quality Information System, hosted and maintained by the DEA.

“We cannot stop breathing, [but] we can do something about the quality of the air we breathe,” concluded De Jager.