Source of stench still being probed

Investigations into the source of the sulphur stench experienced in parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga last month are ongoing.

The update comes after a visit by officials from the department of environment, forestry and fisheries (Deff) and the Gert Sibande district municipality in Mpumalanga to the Sasol Secunda Plant on 18 February.

In a statement, the department said the stench was most likely a combination of elevated levels of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.

“During the inspection it was found that the release of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide from the Sasol plant were within the approved limits of the atmospheric emission licence issued to them by the district municipality on 23 April, 2019.

“At this stage, the department and the Gert Sibande municipality cannot say definitively what the major source/s of the air pollution was,” the department said.

They suspect that the stench experienced over parts of Gauteng earlier this month may have been the result of the cumulative impact from a number of sources in the surrounding areas.

“While initial investigations have shown that the sulphur dioxide levels were in compliance with ambient air quality standards across all stations in the week of 11-17 February 2021, levels of hydrogen sulphide were found to have been elevated at times during the week in question,” said Deff.

In Pretoria, hydrogen sulphide measurements at the SA Weather Service’s station in Irene showed that hydrogen sulphide exceeded the World Health Organisation recommendation on 12, 15 and 17 February. –