eThekwini investigates chemical odour reported in South Durban communities - IOL

Bongani Mthembu, air quality officer for the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) conducted an air quality test in Jacobs after a chemical smell affected residential areas nearby on Thursday.

eThekwini Municipality's air pollution control says investigations are underway to determine the exact nature of the chemical substances that caused breathing problems in Durban South communities on Thursday.

Municipal spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said investigations conducted by municipal air quality officials identified a facility in Jacobs as the source of the strong chemical odour reported by residents in Merebank, Merewent and Wentworth communities at 8.30 pm on Thursday. Mzila said the municipality's continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations in the South Durban Basin had not recorded elevated pollutant concentrations during the period of the incident , but it was assessing any potential impact on the  environment.

Following reports from the community, municipal air pollution control officials investigated to trace the source of the odour.

Further investigations continued on Friday morning and remain ongoing to better understand the nature of the substances and extent of any environmental impact, Mzila said.

“The municipality is working to ensure that appropriate corrective measures are implemented to prevent a recurrence of the incident. The investigation remains active, and should any non-compliance with environmental legislation be identified, enforcement action will be considered,” Mzila said.

The municipality said it remains committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of residents in South Durban. Also, continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations operate in the area and are supplemented by ongoing inspections and monitoring of industrial facilities.

“The municipality also employs administrative and enforcement mechanisms to address environmental incidents and hold non-compliant facilities accountable,” Mzila said.

Bongani Mthembu, air quality officer for the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) said a meeting was held outside the premises from where the chemical smell emanated together with municipal air pollution control units.

“The serious toxic chemical smell incident affected communities in Wentworth and parts of Merebank. According to information received and reports from affected community members, the strong chemical smell caused significant concern among residents,” Mthembu said.

During the meeting they discussed the need for a thorough and ongoing investigation into the source of the chemical release and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We request all relevant information regarding the incident, including information that may assist in establishing what activities, processes, substances or events occurred on the premises during the period in question. We also understand that the company will be served with an appropriate notice as part of the City's regulatory and investigative process,” Mthembu said.

He said SDCEA welcomes these steps and believes that a comprehensive and transparent investigation is important, particularly given the extent of the community impacts.

Mthembu said that, as part of their own investigation, SDCEA took an air sample and had it couriered to Chemtech in Pretoria for laboratory analysis. The SDCEA  also asked municipal officials to investigate whether there is a link between a similar chemical odour on March 12 that caused discomfort to staff and learners at Umbilo Secondary School.

The municipality reported that the school was evacuated, and affected learners and teachers were transported to Wentworth Hospital for treatment. No fatalities were reported. The municipality said preliminary on-scene investigations conducted by Fire and Environmental Health officials traced the odour by monitoring wind direction and conducting perimeter checks around the school.

"Officials identified a company located in the vicinity where a container-cleaning operation involving ethyl acrylate was underway. Fumes from the operation drifted towards the school under windy conditions," the municipality reported in March. 

The alliance believes that establishing whether there is a connection between these incidents is particularly important for the protection of the surrounding communities and for ensuring that any recurring source of pollution is properly identified and addressed.

"The community must receive clear and accurate information regarding what occurred, what substance or substances were released, whether any regulatory requirements were breached, and what measures will be implemented to prevent a recurrence,” Mthembu said.