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High-risk areas are concentrated in townships and informal settlements, including Khayelitsha, Crossroads, Philippi and Gugulethu.

1.9 million Cape Town residents face high to very high air pollution risk, new UCT research reveals

More than 40% of Cape Town’s population is exposed to high or very high air pollution risk, according to a new UCT study that reveals sharp environmental inequalities across the…

The sulphuric stench that drifted over large parts of Johannesburg last week – described by residents as reeking of “rotten eggs”, “cat urine” and “burning sulphur” – has dissipated.

“Rotten egg” smell over Joburg highlights toxic air pollution risks

Air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area threatens lives and violates environmental rights, as hydrogen sulphide levels recently spiked over Johannesburg

‘Not us’: Sasol in Secunda. The company says all its emissions monitoring shows levels well within the limits authorised in its atmospheric emissions licences. Photo: Supplied

Residents mull source of pong

People have been reporting strong sulphur odours causing headaches and eye irritation. The city is monitoring air quality while authorities investigate potential Highveld emissions

Toxic smoke: The illegal dumping site from Cedar Creek forces residents to breathe an acrid haze from nightly burning. Photo: Supplied

‘We can’t breathe’: Joburg communities choke as illegal dumping sparks toxic air crisis

Every night, the skyline turns grey as illegal waste fires sweep through mountains of discarded household waste, building debris, electronic, medical waste and toxic materials

Eskom and Sasol, which are considered two of the country’s biggest polluters, have been granted postponements, suspensions and/or alternative limits of the minimum emissions standards since 2015. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

UN special rapporteur: Toxic pollution in SA fuelled by corporate greed and government inaction 

Marcos Orellana noted the poor disposal of waste and hazardous substances, the wide use of pesticides and weak enforcement of regulations

The case challenges the government’s failure to enforce regulations that would protect people from air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area. (Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

Landmark ‘Deadly Air’ case heads to supreme court of appeal

Environment organisations groundWork and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement argue that regulations are necessary to save lives on the polluted Highveld

Environmental justice organisations and waste pickers say that burning rubbish will cause air pollution and take away livelihoods. (Chris Louw/groundWork)

Garbage plan: Johannesburg’s planned waste incinerator sparks outrage

Environmental justice organisations and waste pickers say that burning rubbish will cause air pollution and take away livelihoods

Dire: Sasol has been allowed, for years, to exceed the minimum emission standards despite sulpher dioxide and other pollutants contributing to ill-health and death. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Getty Images

Creecy’s Sasol decision ‘makes a mockery’ of air pollution laws

Life After Coal slams the environment minister’s decision to allow the company further leniency

The Stellenbosch University team, together with Rham Equipment company, retrofits a fuel-driven minibus taxi, converting it into an electric vehicle. Photo supplied

Electric transport ‘promising’ in Africa, says new report

The continent could emerge as a leader in decarbonising its transport sector

South Africa is one of the largest air-polluted countries in Africa according to a report by non-profit organisation Greenpeace Africa. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Load-shedding obscures the understanding of South Africa’s air quality

Authorities reported that most air quality monitoring stations were frequently offline due to ongoing power blackouts

Former environment minister Barbara Creecy.

Creecy taken to court for allowing excess hydrogen sulphide pollution in the Vaal

Environmental groups argue that Steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa is emitting the toxic gas at levels in excess of those prohibited

File photo

Ban hazardous pesticides now, SA told

Chemicals banned in Europe are exported and used in South Africa

Challenges in overcoming legacy of air and water pollution are ‘enormous’ in South Africa. (Mujahid Safodien/AFP/Getty)

South Africa must increase efforts to tackle environmental racism – United Nations expert

Challenges in overcoming legacy of air and water pollution are ‘enormous’

Sasol’s application for Secunda emission limit for sulphur dioxide falls outside legal framework, say Just Share

The company says it remains committed to ambient air quality improvement and legal compliance

Kusile power station.

Environmental groups appeal to minister over Kusile pollution

Excess sulphur dioxide emissions will pollute the air, kill humans and damage the economy, they say

Other sources of air pollution such as coal, wood and paraffin increase when the coal-fired power stations are down. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Eskom load-shedding an ‘air quality disaster too’ – experts

Other sources of air pollution such as coal, wood and paraffin increase when the coal-fired power stations are down

Many people lack reliable electricity, clean water and adequate housing. When the state fails to provide these services, rights such as dignity, equality and access to healthcare are undermined.
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Alexandra township in the grip of toxic fumes from scrap metal collectors

A clean environment is a constitutionally recognised right in South Africa but one that is routinely violated

In South Africa, energy production contributes to 23% of the ambient PM2.5 levels. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Africa’s silent killer: Solutions must be found to air pollution

Clean energy is crucial for the continent to determine its air quality future

With two units at Koeberg nuclear power station likely to be out of commission at the same time, Eskom will struggle to keep the lights on, said Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

Debt-ridden Eskom faced with ‘complex issues’ in its just transition to clean energy

Shutting down Eskom’s coal plants and shifting to cleaner technologies will bring ‘cleaner air’ to the polluted Mpumalanga Highveld, says the utility’s environmental manager

Eskom told the Mail & Guardian it had only received a R9 billion World Bank loan to decommission its coal-fired Komati power station. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Just transition could secure access to cleaner energy sources in Africa

A researcher says Africa’s huge renewable energy potential could save lives from air pollution