Dust generation and the concomitant impacts to air quality, particularly within the urban residential context, needs more attention. Dust control, is in my opinion, one of those areas of environmental law, which is somewhat poorly enforced.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH DUST POLLUTION
Continuous exposure to dust can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections.
NASA research finds that a combination of windblown dust and human-caused particle pollution was associated with nearly 3 million premature deaths in 2019.
Read How Dust Affects the World’s Health, for more on the NASA Research.
NEW DRAFT DUST CONTROL LEGISLATION
8 March 2024 -
Minister for the Environment has in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004, published the draft National Dust Control Regulations for public comment.
The aim is to repeal the existing Dust Control Regulations and address a number of shortcomings of the existing regulations.
WHAT ARE THE NEW CHANGES ?
NEW ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED
The Dust Control Regulations apply to any person conducting activities that have the potential to generate dust.
In addition, the proposed regulations will apply to the following identified activities:
Mining activities
Listed activities (EIA Regulations)
Any other activity being conducted for a period exceeding 30 days
Storage and/or handling stockpile materials of more than 8000 tons per month & having the potential to generate dust
NEW DUSTFALL STANDARD TEST METHOD
The current method used for measuring dustfall rate and the guideline for locating sampling points is the ASTM D1739: 1970, or an equivalent method approved by any internationally recognized body.
ASTM D1739 is the American Standard for Testing and Materials method.
The draft regulations now propose that the test method for collection and measurement of dustfall be the SANS 1137 (South African National Standard for Settleable Particulate Matter)
SENSITIVE RECEPTORS
For the first time, the Draft Dust Regulations refer to the identification of Sensitive Receptors insofar as the Dust Management Plan and Dustfall Monitoring Report is concerned.
DUE DATE FOR COMMENTS:
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments on the draft regulations by 8 April 2024.
The Draft Regulations can be accessed HERE.