{"id":7678,"date":"2019-08-19T08:23:29","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T08:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?p=7678"},"modified":"2021-12-01T12:45:44","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T12:45:44","slug":"mpumalanga-so2-pollution-as-bad-as-no2-new-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/press\/7678\/mpumalanga-so2-pollution-as-bad-as-no2-new-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Mpumalanga SO2 pollution as bad as NO2, new study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Johannesburg, 19 August 2019<\/b> – NASA satellites have found the Kriel area in Mpumalanga to be a global hotspot for deadly sulphur dioxide (SO<\/span>2<\/span>) emissions. A new study commissioned by Greenpeace India used NASA estimates of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO<\/span>2<\/span>) emissions from hotspots around the world, based on data from the agency\u2019s satellites. <\/span><\/p>\n

The study found that Kriel in Mpumalanga, with its high concentration of coal-fired power stations, ranks as the second worst SO<\/span>2 <\/span>emission hotspot in the world. SO<\/span>2<\/span> is a toxic pollutant that can result in lower respiratory infections, increased risk of stroke and increased risk of death from diabetes. SO<\/span>2<\/span> emissions also contribute to the secondary formation of the dangerous pollutant called fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which expert research shows is causally linked to a number of severe conditions, including lung cancer. <\/span><\/p>\n

Globally, power plants and industries burning coal and oil are responsible for two-thirds of the anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO<\/span>2<\/span>) emission hotspots tracked by NASA satellites. Oil refineries and metals smelters are the other major sources worldwide. This ranking of global SO<\/span>2<\/span> emission hotspots demonstrates the need for stronger emission standards for <\/span>coal <\/span>power plants and industry and a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lauri Myllyvirta, Senior Analyst at Greenpeace Nordic, said: \u201cThe burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas is the largest source of emissions of SO<\/span>2 <\/span>resulting in disastrous air pollution and premature deaths. Clean energy could save billions of dollars in health costs and thousands of lives every year. It\u2019s fundamental that governments rapidly transition away from fossil fuels and set stronger emission standards as they shift over to sustainable alternatives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Melita Steele, Senior Climate and Energy Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Africa, said: \u201cWe are in fact in the midst of an airpocalypse. South Africa\u2019s air is absolutely filthy, and data analysis consistently confirms this[1]. We already know that Mpumalanga is among the worst nitrogen dioxide pollution hotspots in the world. Now that we know that the province is also home to the second largest <\/span>SO<\/span>2<\/span> emission hotspot in the world, second only to the Norilsk smelter complex in Russia. We simply cannot afford to waste any more time by delaying industry compliance with air quality legislation or the transition to renewable energy.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

This news comes at a time when the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, is considering whether to weaken the country\u2019s <\/span>SO<\/span>2<\/span> limits even further[2]. <\/span>Weakening the already-lax SO<\/span>2<\/span> limits, would make these around 10 times weaker than the equivalent standard in India and 28 times weaker than the equivalent standard in China.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEskom and Sasol must not be allowed any more space to pollute the air that we breathe. In the face of overwhelming evidence that our air is toxic, South Africa\u2019s National Air Quality Officer must show up for the job of protecting people\u2019s health by enforcing compliance with our already woefully inadequate Minimum Emission Standards. <\/span>Air pollution and the climate emergency share the same solution. Governments across the world owe it to citizens to stop investing in fossil fuels and shift to safer, more sustainable sources of energy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Findings from the report include:<\/span><\/p>\n