City trusts its nose
The residents of Richards Bay are that familiar with air pollution, they are generally able to sniff the air to determine the source.
Most can differentiate between the odours from the various industries, as well as other sources such as sugar cane burning.
Thus, when the gas incident of 7 February this year took place, the immediate consensus was that the Foskor plant was responsible for the fumes that affected many residents, including learners at Richards Bay High School.
Those initial suspicions appear to have been justified, based on the report released by independent consultants, Air Impact Measurement Specialists (AIMS).
As a city that is home to a number of potentially dangerous industries, we are well aware of the need for a close eye to be kept on the way these are managed and maintained.
This includes the disaster management responses, which many believe are totally inadequate to handle a major incident and necessitating evacuation warnings, especially at night.
Be that as it may, the Foskor situation has long been a key concern for residents.
The company handles extremely dangerous chemicals linked to acid manufacture and the plant’s history does not inspire confidence.
A number of serious incidents have taken place over the years, while the emissions from its stacks regularly exceed the permitted levels.
As one of the first manufacturing plants to locate to the city in the early 70’s, when it was still known as Triomf, the ageing factory has seen a number of refurbishments and repairs over the years during regular shutdowns.
It is not in the interests of the city, much less the many employees and contractors and their families, to close down the plant – as some have suggested.
What is needed is to make it safer for the staff and the general public.
The AIMS report concludes by proposing that Foskor installs the necessary equipment to monitor sulphur trioxide, the most dangerous – and potentially fatal - gas emission.
This will give more reassurance to all concerned.