The impact of environmental pollution on public health with specific reference to Sasolburg industrial area, South Africa

The Mining industry in South Africa is viewed as the backbone of the country’s economy, while benefiting from this engine of economic development, its impact on the environment and health has been of a 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. The aim of the study was then to assess the impact of environmental pollution and public health on the Sasolburg community from a developmental perspective. The present study can be described as a quantitative descriptive survey that uncovered serious levels of pollution in Sasolburg that had dire health consequences for people involved. The findings of the study indicate that residents live with the constant smell of a variety of chemical pollutants released both by normal production and by periodic incidents. 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 mines. The results obtained in this study are evidence that environmental pollution in the Sasolburg 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 prevent continued public over-exposure to environmental pollution