- Title
- Community perception of air pollution: health and environmental impact of manganese operations at PE port
- Creator
- Mtati, Vuyani
- Subject
- Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Subject
- Manganese -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Manufacturing industries Environmental health Sustainable development
- Date Issued
- 2019
- Date
- 2019
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MBA
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41919
- Identifier
- vital:36609
- Description
- The Mining industry in South Africa is viewed as the backbone of the country’s economy; however, while benefiting from this engine of economic development, its impact on the environment and health has been of major concern to different stakeholders. The majority of people acknowledge the role of mining in the economy and the country. Others put more emphasis on public health and the environment. Furthermore, manganese plays an important role in the economic growth and development within the Eastern Cape Province. Responding to recent public concern over manganese dust emissions, Port of Port Elizabeth manager, Rajesh Dana, outlined a five-point manganese management plan formulated by Transnet. Mr. Dana stated the following: “We do not dispute the fact that our manganese operation in the Port of Port Elizabeth creates an inconvenience to port tenants and residents. However, as a responsible corporate citizen we have superior operational and compliance controls in place to mitigate these negative impacts.” Some of the concerns raised by community members are that the manganese ore dust has long term negative effects on the health of this city’s residents, the marine life, as well as the properties within, roughly, a 5km (own opinion estimate) radius of the tanks. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) has the potential to become a tourism and economic hub within this radius and beyond, and by removing this hazard it will allow for a green environment to be established that gives all the citizens as well as tourists, a place to take part in a healthy lifestyle. Some believe that the city, specifically the CBD area, has the potential to be world renowned for green innovations but having a major hazard in the way, which can be moved to, and better controlled at, Coega IDZ, is not only damaging to the health of its citizens but also the economy of the city. Air pollution affects both physical and human environments. Often, communities that are in close proximity to pollution sources are more vulnerable and experience its greatest effect. As a result, many residents complain of negative health related impacts caused by air pollution which is attributed to industries located close to these communities. About two million deaths annually are attributed to urban air pollution worldwide, which is an indication that air pollution remains an enormous health risk to people. Due to the health impacts on humans, air pollution has also been negatively categorised based on perceptions around the world. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of environmental pollution and public health on the South End, Humewood and Humerail occupants and their perceptions of air quality effects and health risks from the Transnet manganese operation in Port Elizabeth. The present study can be described as a quantitative descriptive survey that uncovered serious levels of pollution in the said areas that had dire health consequences for the people involved. The findings of the study indicate that residents live with the constant dust of a variety of chemical pollutants released both by normal Port operations and by periodic incidents caused by other polluters. They experience chronic respiratory symptoms, burning eyes, hearing deficiency and skin irritations. The study revealed that environmental pollution consequences affecting residents are inversely related to distance from the Port. The results obtained in this study are evidence that environmental pollution, especially manganese in the area, is a definite risk to the health of people living within the surrounding area. Although indicating the need to carry out a comprehensive study, the results call for immediate action to engage community members in order for them to understand the risks associated with the Port operations and prevent continued public over-exposure to environmental pollution.
- Format
- xvi, 163 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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