Interim director of the Environment and Health Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council Renée Street says the health implications of metal-infused dust being ingested or penetrating the lungs can be severe.
“Dust particles, especially very fine particles such as PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0, may penetrate deep into the lungs, with consequent respiratory effects. Should there be elevated concentrations of metals in dust, there is also an increased risk of associated harmful health effects.” Luyanda Fitshane, a land activist in the Good Hope informal settlement, says they have many service delivery challenges. Street says “buffer zones between sites of pollution and human settlements help protect the health of communities”. The Gauteng government had issued guidelines for such zones, but these were “not mandatory, to my knowledge”.
Asked what residents can do to protect their health, as well as what the company can do, Street suggests: “For communities or individuals, interventions include hand washing, especially before eating and after playing; dusting regularly; greening or paving areas may also reduce exposure to dust. The company should have a licence to operate. The company would need to comply with emission standards set out by the DFFE .