Defective chimney stacks are to blame
SOUTH Beach residents are seeking urgent intervention from the Department of Health to control a thick plume of black smoke emanating from Addington Hospital’s boiler rooms.
They say the smoke could be hazardous to their health and stress that the smoke blows into their flats behind the hospital.
The residents allege that the smoke can be seen for about 15 minutes in the morning and again in the evening around 10pm.
Keith Hall of the Crown Point block of flats said: “The smoke is heavy, smelly and brings tears to the eyes when it gets into our rooms. The hospital is located in a residential area and safety should be the priority. The problem must lie with the maintenance department and they need to deal with this urgently.
“This is making people sick, and has been going on periodically for over two years. It needs to be addressed before it affects more people,” said Hall.
Residents said they have tried to consult the hospital and environmentalists but their efforts have not yielded any positive results.
Priscilla Parby said she had been living in her flat since 1972 and had never had a problem. “I had to re-do my washing because the smell was all over it. I suspect they burn dirty oil from the boiler room. I feel sorry for children whose lungs are not well developed.”
Spokesperson for the Kwazulu-natal Department of Health, Sam Mkhwanazi, said: “The smoke is caused by the defective chimney stacks and is receiving attention.”