15 Years after the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act: Is legislation failing to reduce air pollution in South Africa?

PUBLISHED: 26 September 2019 Air pollution is characterised by the presence of chemicals or compounds in the air which are usually not present or are present at levels higher than those considered to be safe for human health.1 Air pollution is the main cause of environmental effects such as acid rain (formed primarily by nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides in the atmosphere) which can acidify soil and water bodies leading to a threat on food security; and ground-level ozone which is responsible for destruction of agricultural crops and commercial forests.2 Air pollution can cause detrimental changes to the quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is one of the greatest environmental threats to human health that can lead to increased mortality and morbidity. Pollutants mostly associated with health effects are particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.3