Air Pollution Case Study: PM10 from Johannesburg Coal Plants

This case study analyzes the effects of particulate matter (PM10) pollution from coal-fired power plants in the Highveld Priority Area of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study highlights the significant health and environmental impacts caused by PM10, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and potential long-term health risks. It examines the characterization of PM10, its sources, and the pollutants involved. The study also explores air quality management policies, modeling applications, and potential solutions such as improved emission control, standardized assessment methods, and enhanced intergovernmental collaboration. The paper also recommends the implementation of IT-based information sharing systems and effective change management plans to minimize resistance to changes in power plant operations. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate PM10 pollution and improve air quality in the region.

The effects of particulate matter
PM10 from Coal-Field Power
Plants on Johannesburg, South
Africa Highveld Priority Area

Introduction
• Air pollutants have a
major role in the issue of
environmental pollution.
• In South Africa more
than 2200 people die
every year due to the air
pollution from Eskom
Power Plants. Moreover
cases of asthma and
bronchitis also affects
children and adults of
that region (Centre for
Environmental Rights,
2019).

Continued…
• The injurious air
pollutants include
particulate matter
(PM), sulphur
dioxide
(SO2) ,nitrogen
dioxide (NO2), and
carbon monoxide
(CO).
• The particulate
matter which has
the diameter of less
than 10 μm is

Overview of the Paper
1 • Description of area
2 • Management Policies
3 • Policies Implications
4 • Management Implications
5 • Decision Makers
6 • Characteristics of Pollution
7 • Impact on Health
8
• Model Applications and
implementation
9 • Recommendations

Description of the Region
• South Africa is one of
the major industry
based economies in
the Southern
Hemisphere region.
• Moreover, it is the only
regional energy
producer area having
adequate numbers of
metallurgical and
mining activities
(Morakinyo et al.,
2017).

Continued…
• In the year of 2007, the
Highveld area south of
Johannesburg was declared
as National Priority by
Ministry of Environment.
• The priority area covers 31
106 km2 , including parts of
Gauteng and Mpumalanga,
Provinces, with a single
metropolitan municipality,
three district municipalities,
and nine local municipalities.
• The high concentration of
pollutants makes the air
quality very poor of that area
(Environmental Affairs,
2011 ).

Continued…
• There are almost 12
power plants in the
HPA, South
Johannesburg area.
• The power plants are
owned by Eskom
Power Plant.
• The priority areas are
mainly Middleburg ,
Ermelo, Herdrina,
Segunda and WItbank

Management policies
• NEM:AQA policy targets
including national
compliance to air quality
standards by 2020
• The DEA regulated NAAQS
criteria for pollutants PM10,
particulate mass in case of
70 to 20 micrograms per
cubic metre (μg/m)
• International Environmental
Law and Policy guided by
WHO for reduce 15% of the
PM10 Polutents

Management policy
implications
• Development of a PM 10
Assessment team for the
surrounding area of Coal-
Field Power Plants on
Johannesburg
• Developing a PM10
control plan through
reforming the coal mine
operations and carbon
emission filtering (Centre
for Environmental Rights,
2019)
• Forming standardized
emission measures for

Management policy
implications
• Forming an
intergovernmental
coordination and
cooperation for
outsourcing equipment
• Installing and calibrating
effectiveness and
developing evaluation
draft (Wang et al., 2015)
• Taking further decision
based on the emission
scored compared with
standardised protocol

Decision Makers in the South of
Johannesburg
• Department Of
Environmental Affairs
Environmental Quality
And Protection
• Chief Directorate: Air
Quality Management
• Provincial
environmental
departments in the
Highveld Priority Area
(HPA) (Environmental
Affairs, 2011 )

Decision Makers in the South of
Johannesburg
• Air Quality Officer’s
Forum (AQOF)
• Multistakeholder
Reference Group
(MSRG)
• MDEDET, GDARD,
municipalities for
intergovernmental
coordination and
cooperation (Centre for
Environmental Rights,
2019)