IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION

Silicosis:
• Irreversible diseases.

Chronic silicosis:
• Long-term exposure to crystalline silica.

Acute silicosis:
• Exposure to very high dust levels.

IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION

• Pneumoconiosis is the common name for a number of dust-related lung diseases.
• Silicosis, a form of pneumoconiosis, is a condition of the lungs caused by the inhalation of silica dust and marked by nodular fibrosis.

• Five factors which contribute to the development of pneumoconiosis are:

Composition of the dust.
Concentration of the dust.
Size of the particles.
Duration of exposure.
Individual susceptibility.

RESPIRABLE DUST

Particles which penetrate this deeply into the respiratory system are generally beyond the body's natural clearance mechanisms of cilia and mucous and are more likely to be retained and be harmful.

DUST AND AIR POLLUTION MANAGEMENT PLAN

The objective of the plan is to carry out the works in such a way that emissions of dust and other pollutants including odour are limited and that best practicable means are employed to avoid the creation of a statutory nuisance and risks to human health and to avoid unnecessary impacts on sensitive habitats.


SOURCES OF LOCAL AIR POLLUTION

• Burning of materials – rubber tyres, plastic.
• Coal and veld fires.
• Veld fires.
• Exhaust gases from vehicles.
• Dust from mining .
• Dust storms.
• Smoking habit.
• Burning of certain fuels for energy production e.g. paraffin, diesel, wood.
• Demolition activities, etc.

DUST AND AIR POLLUTION MANAGEMENT PLAN

The plan will include the following as appropriate:

• Reference to the general site management procedures contained in the Area Management Plan relevant to limiting dust and air pollution.
• Controls and measures to be implemented to prevent or counteract the effects of nuisance caused by construction works and to compliance with air quality objectives in the Air Quality Act 2004.
• Dust and air pollution monitoring measures to be employed during construction of the Project.

DUST AND AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

• The plan will describe the measures to be implemented to:
• Limit emissions from construction plant and vehicles.
• Limit pollution due to the transportation and storage of materials.
• Construct and maintain haul routes.
• Limit dust pollution from demolition activities.
• Limit dust pollution from excavations and earthworks.
• Limit dust pollution associated with drilling, blasting and ground activities.
• Limit dust pollution associated with processing and crushing rock for use as aggregate or other materials within the works.

ENGINEERING CONTROLS FOR DUST SUPPRESSION

• To ensure that dust do not threaten the health of workers, the first step will be to eliminate the hazard completely.
• If the hazard cannot be eliminated, the next step is to implement measures to control the risk.
• These control measures may include:
  exhaust ventilation in particularly hazardous processes;
  water suppression to control dust emissions; and
  administrative measures, i.e. sufficient training, etc.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Do not burn materials like rubber tyres, plastic.
• Wear PPE.
• Suppress dust with water.
• Reduce use of fossil fuels, especially oil and coal.
• Discourage automobile use.
• Establish an air pollution policy.
• Prevent veld fires.