KZN government concerned about spike in local pollution levels
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Environmental Affairs says it is concerned about the recent spike in air pollution levels in the province.
There were two fires at industrial sites at the weekend.
A chemical firm in Cato Ridge had caught alight, while another blaze was reported at a landfill site in Msunduzi.
The department's Nathi Olifant says gases released into the air are not only bad for the environment, they can pose serious risks too.
"It is the prevalence of these incidents that is of a major concern. Surely someone is dropping the ball," he asked.
"Safety and environmental safety are non-negotiable."
A recent spill at the Willowton Group in Pietermartizburg saw oil and caustic soda wash into the Msunduzi river.
A chemical firm in Cato Ridge had caught alight, while another blaze was reported at a landfill site in Msunduzi.
Earlier this month, dowtherm vapour, a medium used for process heating, escaped Safripol Durban's Mobeni plant.
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Afterwards, hundreds of community members complained they felt ill.The department's Nathi Olifant says gases released into the air are not only bad for the environment, they can pose serious risks too.
"It is the prevalence of these incidents that is of a major concern. Surely someone is dropping the ball," he asked.
"Safety and environmental safety are non-negotiable."
A recent spill at the Willowton Group in Pietermartizburg saw oil and caustic soda wash into the Msunduzi river.
The incident resulted in a major fish kill in the river.
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Authorities also urged communities living along the river not to drink or come into contact with the water from the spill's point of entry to the Inanda dam in eThekwini.