Cancer link on trial

Dave Savides

EXPANDED monitoring of PM10 particulates - airborne substances of such a size that they could lead to lung cancer when inhaled - will begin in Richards Bay this year.
A resolution was approved at the AGM of the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA) on Wednesday to allocate the necessary funding for the project.
This will be yet another national first for the RBCAA, which continues to lead the way in gathering valuable information regarding air pollution.
According to project leader John Selby the new first step will be to monitor background or ‘natural’ levels of PM10 - something which has never been done previously.
‘The initial stage will be to erect two additional monitoring stations, at Mtunzini and St Lucia, where there is no industrial pollution - but bearing in mind that there are many other sources of particulates, such as the ocean and cane burning,’ said Selby.
‘We will then look at each industrial site in Richards Bay, to determine what each industry contributes to the particulate level.
‘We will sample both at an elevated height to capture stack emissions, as well as for fugitive emissions on site to determine PM10 from roads, stockpiles, conveyors and so on.
‘Sampling will be taken at the entrance and exit to each industry when the prevailing wind is south-westerly at a certain speed,’ said Selby.
‘The particulate size and chemical composition will then be determined.’
Selby said the monitoring programme would have to run for at least 12 months to gauge seasonal changes.
While the long-awaited City health study - now expected to cost well over R10-million - has been put on hold, the PM10 monitoring will at least give some comfort to residents anxious to see if there is a link between industry and what appears to be a high level of cancers in our region.