Approximately a month after PE Express reported on the potential environmental and health crisis that Nelson Mandela Bay has on its hands with regard to manganese ore, the results of an official dust fallout survey have confirmed that the levels of manganese dust in the Markman Industrial Area are indeed hazardous for humans.
According to the survey, conducted by municipal air quality officers during the last three months of 2021, the levels of manganese ore dust is about three times the level at which health authorities should be immediately notified.
Visiting the area during a recent oversight, DA spokesperson for public health, Annette Lovemore, said that in its report on the sampling, the metro states that “the exercise has been a success in identifying areas where dust pollution levels exceeded the prescribed levels and were unsuitable for human health”.
“The aspect that we are particularly concerned about is the health of the people that are exposed – constantly – to the manganese ore dust that is generated in this industrial area.
“This cannot continue as it is at the moment,” she said.
Lovemore added that the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to provide a healthy and safe working environment and to ensure that people, other than their employees, who might be affected by their activities, are not negatively impacted upon.
“We have written to the director general of the Department of Employment and Labour to request immediate intervention. We said that the manganese ore operations are in non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“They are putting not only their own employees’ health at risk but also the health of those who are affected by their operations,” she emphasised.
As reported in the previous article, when manganese ore is left uncovered, the dust it creates is hazardous, and if people are exposed to it for a long time, it may lead to eventual kidney and liver diseases, anaemia and even brain damage.
PE Express also reported that since manganese ore is an extremely heavy substance, the approximately 1 000 trucks transporting the substance from the storage warehouses to the harbour and back multiple times a day, are allegedly causing damage to the roads and stormwater infrastructure in this area.
During a previous inspection of the area held last month, DA spokesperson for economic development, tourism and agriculture, Kobus Botha, said that unregulated bulk storage of the manganese ore is taking place in Markman and that, due to the toxicity of manganese dust, it should be covered when stored and transported – something that is currently not happening.
He added that the increased traffic of the trucks carrying a massive load causes severe damage to and potholes in the roads.
The kerbs and pavements are breaking into pieces and manganese particles are flying everywhere.
“There are schools and residential areas here. Every truck transporting the uncovered manganese disperses dust into the air and everyone is breathing it in. It’s toxic. The dust goes into the stormwater pipes and into the Swartkops River,” he added.
Lovemore added that due to the shocking state of affairs, local businesses in various sectors are contemplating relocation or even closure.
“We will write to the city manager and will put her on terms to visit the Markman Industrial Area within the next 21 days and provide an action plan to ensure compliance.
We cannot allow this industry to be the cause of a health disaster, cost us jobs and break down our infrastructure,” she said.
After various attempts, no comment was received from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Their comment will be added to the article when it is received.
