In Cape Town, the Specialised Environmental Health Air Quality Management Unit is responsible for the implementation of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2004.

Its focus is on regulating industries to operate listed activities in terms of the Act.

In the past financial year, the unit issued and received in excess of R2 million in administrative fines from industries and commercial entities that failed to comply with their legal obligations under the Act and the City’s Air Quality Management By-laws.

Its Diesel Vehicle Testing Team also tests on average between 6 000 and 8 000 vehicles a year at roadside emissions testing sites, in partnership with Traffic Services.

In terms of air quality monitoring from the 14 fixed ambient air quality monitoring stations, the City recorded just 10 days where air pollution levels were exceeded in the last financial year. This generally demonstrates that residents and visitors to Cape Town continue to experience good air quality.

‘Environmental health is public health. And, while the focus this year is on air quality, there are many other priorities that our dedicated Environmental Health Practitioners tackle on a daily basis in pursuit of safer communities, like proper waste management, vector control and safe hygiene practices. Cape Town has just over 200 professionals working in the area of environmental health, but in truth, we have millions of potential advocates in our residents, who are critical to achieving our goals. Let us work together and share the load in building a healthier and safer Cape Town,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

City Health observed World Environmental Health Day with an event at the Wynberg Civic where experts from Specialised Health, the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch, and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology joined City experts, showcasing the vital role environmental health plays in addressing issues such as air pollution and climate change.

The public can help improve Cape Town’s air quality by:

• Carpooling or making use of public transport
• Keeping vehicles well serviced and maintained to minimise exhaust emissions
• Using non-motorised modes of transport where possible
• Not burning waste
• Using clean energy sources for cooking and heating homes
• Fitting Solar PV and Solar hot water geysers
• Making use of dry, well-seasoned wood when burning wood for recreational braais, to limit smoke production or using charcoal
• Using the top down burn method to start your fire, by placing kindling and fire lighters at the top of your wood pile, as this minimises smoke emission at fire start up

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