Environment – 20 May 2024

ENVIRONMENT

• Collapse in air quality monitoring. Government data suggests that more than 80% of state-operated air pollution monitoring stations were either not working or not providing scientifically reliable data last year. Eskom power cuts and scrap metal thieves have wreaked havoc with sensitive and expensive measuring instruments, and many of the stations are also no longer operational because of the lack of maintenance of equipment or skilled staff shortages. Only 25 out of more than 130 government-operated air quality monitoring stations were providing continuous and reliable data as of November 2023 – leaving major gaps in monitoring poisonous air level trends nationwide. (Source)