FINAL REPORT AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY Air Quality Management Plan compiled on behalf of and in consultation with the Department of Environment & Tourism, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Report No.: APP/04/EMM­02c DATE: 25 January 2005 Authors: Yvonne Scorgie (Airshed Planning Professionals) Theo Fischer (Environmental Sciences Associates) Raylene Watson (Airshed Planning Professionals) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. BACKGROUND Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) Environment and Tourism Department has undertaken an air quality management plan development project. Airshed Planning Professionals (Pty) Ltd was appointed to assist the metropolitan municipality in this regard. Airshed sub­contracted Environmental Science Associates and Zitholele Consulting to provide support services for the project. Zitholele is responsible for public notification of the project and for consultation with interested and affected parties. The project had two focus areas: ­ Baseline assessment of air pollution concentrations and air quality management practices within EMM, and inventory of national and provincial requirements pertaining to AQM Plan development. ­ Development of an Air Quality Management Plan for EMM, taking into account: ­ operational and functional structure requirements ­ air quality management system component requirements ­ source identification and prioritisation ­ emission reduction measures implementable ­ mechanisms for facilitating inter­departmental co­operation in the identification and implementation of emission reduction measures for certain sources ­ human resource development (training) requirements 2. SUPPORT STRUCTURE ESTABLISHMENT Given the importance of the product it was considered imperative that the project team not function in isolation from the EMM and key stakeholders. The following structures were therefore established: EMM Project Manager Technical Working Airshed Project Key Stakeholder Group Team Group The Technical Advisory Group was comprised of persons able to contribute to the process in one of two ways: (a) through providing input into the air quality management system design, e.g. participating in the design of the air quality monitoring network; and (b) assisting with emission reduction measure drafting and with assessing the feasibility and cost implications of implementing measures within the industrial, mining, domestic fuel usage and transport sectors. Representatives from the various EMM departments responsible for environmental management, environmental health, municipal infrastructure, housing, transport and spatial planning have been invited to participate on the technical working group. Representation was also invited from Airkem and the Springs Air Quality Forum due to the existing or proposed air quality monitoring activities of these groups. The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs (GDACE), the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) were also asked to nominate representatives. Key stakeholder group representatives were identified by Zitholele Consulting on the basis of a consultative process. The main functions of the Key Stakeholder Group included: (i) assisting in the categorisation of issues raised during broad consultation process; (ii) Final Air Quality Management Plan for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Report No.: APP/04/EMM­02c Page i assisting in identifying the potential for trade­offs and compromises where conflicting views are given by various stakeholders; and (iii) acting as a "sounding board" to assist the project team in determining whether the key issues have effectively been communicated in the documents scheduled for distribution. 3. KEY FINDINGS FROM THE BASELINE ASSESSMENT 3.1 Priority Pollutants Pollutants that have been measured to exceed guideline values within the EMM include PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter), sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Sites at which such exceedances have been measured (1) to occur are as follows: Nitrogen dioxide Esterpark Particulates Esterpark, Boksburg (various sites – Etwatwa, Boksburg East, Reiger Park, Vosloorus, Villa Liza), Brakpan, Springs (various sites – CBD, New Era, Nuffield, Thebelisha, White City), Tembisa and Ivory Park Sulphur dioxide Esterpark, Boksburg (Cinderella, Boksburg East, Vosloorus), Brakpan (Leachville), Springs (various sites – CBD, New Era, Nuffield, Thebelisha, White City, Dr WK du Plessis School), Tembisa and Ivory Park Based on monitoring campaigns conducted within Ekurhuleni and in similar local urban areas, benzene and ozone have been noted to exceed health guidelines. Benzene thresholds are typically exceeded in close proximity to busy highways and intersections and at large filling stations. Ozone, which is formed in the atmosphere through the conversion of volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen, is typically elevated downwind of urban areas. 3.2 Priority Sources Sources that have been found to be significant in terms of their contributions to ambient air pollutant concentrations and associated health risks include: ­ Household fuel burning – particularly coal and, to a lesser extent, wood burning. Household fuel burning is predicted to be a very significant contributor to fine particulate concentrations within densely populated areas. ­ Industrial and commercial fuel burning – particularly uncontrolled coal­fired boilers in close proximity to residential areas. These sources contribute significantly to ambient sulphur dioxide and PM10 concentrations. ­ Vehicle exhaust emissions – including both petrol and diesel vehicle emissions. Road traffic is the most significant source of NOx, CO and VOC emissions and is anticipated to contribute significantly to ozone formation. (NOx and VOCs are both important precursors of photochemical products.) ­ Johannesburg International Airport – despite contributing only a small fraction of the total emissions, the airport is a significant source of low level, concentrated NOx emissions. The airport is anticipated to contribute to NO2 guideline exceedances in the vicinity of the airport. 1 Only sites at which exceedances were monitored to have been exceeded are listed in the table. It is noted that guideline exceedances is likely do occur at various other locations within the EMM at which monitoring has not been conducted. Final Air Quality Management Plan for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Report No.: APP/04/EMM­02c Page ii ­ Unrehabilitated mine tailings impoundments – significant source of nuisance dustfall and potentially contribute significantly to airborne concentrations of fine particulates. ­ Large industries associated with various stack, vent and fugitive emissions. These industries were not adequately quantified during the baseline assessment due to the unavailability of current and comprehensive source and emissions data for such operations. 3.3 Priority Areas Priority areas that may be subject to elevated levels of air pollutants include: ­ Household fuel burning areas – due to high particulate concentrations associated with fuel burning for cooking and heating purposes; ­ Central business district and residential areas transected by highways, on­ramps and main feeder roads; ­ Residential areas in close proximity to industrial areas such as Olifantsfontein, Clayville, Isando, Wadeville, Alrode, Benoni South and Apex industrial areas, Springs industrial areas such as Nuffield and New Era; ­ Residential areas in close proximity to Johannesburg International Airport; and ­ Residential areas near uncontrolled mine tailings impoundments. 3.4 Summary of Priority Pollutants, Sources and Areas A synopsis of pollutants, contributing sources and key impacts areas is presented in the table below. Pollutants Main Contributing Sources Key Impacted Areas PM10, ­ Household fuel combustion (notable given high Elevated concentrations over PM2.5 exposures) much of the EMM resulting in ­ Transport (primarily diesel vehicle emissions) widespread health risks, with ­ Industrial (including process emissions, fugitive dust and significant health effects fuel combustion products) anticipated in residential fuel ­ Vehicle entrainment from unpaved roads burning areas (e.g. Tembisa, ­ Other sources (primarily wild fires, agricultural activities, Etwatwa). tyre burning ­ significant in terms of episodes) NO2 ­ Transport (petrol vehicles, diesel vehicles then airport Notably elevated concentrations activities) (health threshold exceedances) ­ Industrial processes in close proximity to busy ­ Household fuel combustion roadways ­ Wild fires, tyre burning, etc. as minor sources Ozone ­ Secondary pollutant associated with NOx and volatile Anticipated to be elevated organic compound releases across the metro, particularly ­ Transport (petrol vehicles as key contributor, also diesel downwind of major sources of vehicles, airport activities) precursor pollutants (i.e. NOx ­ Household fuel combustion and volatile organic ­ Industrial processes compounds). Monitoring is ­ Wildfires required to confirm ozone levels. Final Air Quality Management Plan for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Report No.: APP/04/EMM­02c Page iii Pollutants Main Contributing Sources Key Impacted Areas SO2 ­ Industrial and non­domestic fuel burning sector Large spatial variations in (particularly due to coal and to a much lesser extent HFO concentrations anticipated. combustion) Guideline exceedances