Residents living and working in the Markman industrial area in Nelson Mandela Bay are facing a ticking timebomb due to the fallout of manganese ore dust in the area, but the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality refuses to reveal how bad the situation is.
The Metro conducted an air pollution monitoring study in mid-2021 and even though feedback regarding this has been on the agenda for three different meetings of the public health portfolio committee, the municipality is unwilling to share the results.
The municipality has admitted that the study found that levels of manganese ore dust detected in the air were worryingly high, but still the results are kept secret.
The DA has now submitted an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to force the municipality to hand over the figures.
People living and working in the Markman industrial area and, in fact, anywhere along the manganese route from Markman to the Port Elizabeth harbour, are being exposed to a severe health risk.
The DA has interacted very closely with businesses and residents affected by the uncontrolled air pollution emanating from the manganese ore operations.
Through this close interaction we now know, from studies conducted by a consultant appointed by a Markman business, that:
- The levels of dust in the air are three times the level at which immediate notification of the authorities is required. The notification is required because the risk of health impacts is almost certain at this level; and
- The waste ore dust, spilt onto roads and pavements, is classified as hazardous waste. This must be disposed of at a hazardous waste site. It cannot simply be swept or flushed into the nearest storm water drains to make its way to our coastal waters.
We are all too cognizant of the fact that dust is only one of the aspects of the manganese ore operation that requires urgent control, but the health of our residents must be a priority.
The DA is in your corner, fighting for you. Let’s get NMB working again.