Minister warns about Sasol air

Cape Town - Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said on Friday that the air quality around Sasol's plant in Secunda – the largest synthetic fuels facility in the world – leaves a great deal to be desired.

"In general, the state of air quality in Secunda requires improvement particularly around particulate matter," she said, giving a written reply to a question from Gareth Morgan of the Democratic Alliance.

"Risk assessment studies done locally have shown serious association between particulate matter and mortality outcomes."

She observed that daily concentrations of particulate matter over a 12-month period shows non-conformance with legal standards, mostly in winter. 

This is related to conditions such as low temperatures as well as increased fuel-combustion activities.

The minister also noted that ozone frequently exceeds the national standard all through the year. However, she said: "It is difficult to fully understand the main sources of ozone in the Highveld as it is well recognised that ozone has a regional influence in this area, largely due to abundant sunlight which aids in the formation of ozone."

The minister told her questioner that a comprehensive compliance inspection was undertaken at the facility as part of the strategic compliance monitoring project focusing on the Refineries Sector. 

"The findings of this inspection were issued to the facility in July 2009, and Sasol was provided with an opportunity to make representations in response to these findings," she said.

"These representations, including a significant volume of information in the form of reports, have now been reviewed by the department. Further clarity is being requested on a number of issues in order for the department to make a final decision on the compliance approach required."