Residents mull source of pong

People have been reporting strong sulphur odours causing headaches and eye irritation. The city is monitoring air quality while authorities investigate potential Highveld emissions

- Sheree Bega

Not us: Sasol in Secunda. The company says all its emissions monitoring shows levels well within the limits authorised in its atmospheric emissions licences. Photo: Supplied

Residents across Johannesburg — from Sandton and Randburg to Roodepoort, Fourways and even areas beyond the city boundary — have reported a strong sulphur-like odour in the air, first noticed on 16 January and again on 9 March.

In response, the City of Johannesburg said its environment and infrastructure services department (EISD) immediately initiated an investigation, activating its air quality monitoring network to track and analyse the source of the odour.

"Protecting the health and well-being of residents remains our priority," said city manager Floyd Brink.

"Our technical teams are actively monitoring air quality data and working with other spheres of government to determine the source of the odour and ensure residents are kept informed."

On Tuesday, Bedfordview resident Wendy Zipp wrote to Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp to express her concerns. In her email, she explained that residents in Bedfordview and neighbouring areas experienced toxic air pollution on 9 and 10 March.

"This has happened before but this recent incident is worse than ever," Zipp wrote.

"I am suffering from headaches, burning eyes and a tight chest.

"I have been informed by two ward councillors that the fumes are due to wind direction and most likely caused by Sasol (Secunda) and people with health issues should stay indoors or go outside wearing an N95 mask.

"This is a poor and unacceptable explanation. I am neither ill nor elderly but this pollution is affecting my health."

Zipp asked the minister whether the government was aware of the issue, actively investigating it and monitoring Sasol's emissions to ensure residents were not being exposed to dangerous pollutants.