Air pollution control measures implemented by the South African iron and steel industries

M.Sc. (Environmental Management)With the rapid expansion of the industries in South Africa, environmental problems including air pollution have been increasing. Among industries that cause air pollution is the iron and steel industry. Air pollution impacts negatively on the environment and therefore the measures implemented to improve air quality by this industry were investigated. The purpose of this thesis was to critically analyse the air pollution control measures implemented by the iron and steel industry in South Africa and to find out what they are doing to address the problem of air pollution, as well as their processes in involving and encouraging community involvement with regard to environmental issues. The key findings from this study were that the South African iron and steel companies are doing their best in trying to control the problem of air pollution. Some of them do not only rely on the South African legislation, they also do self-regulation by monitoring and controlling the air pollution problems even if not strictly required to by legislation. The iron and steel industry does also involve communities, through participation in public environmental forums. Air pollution has always been an issue in South Africa, but due to a lack of enabling legislation in the country, many people were not aware of their environmental rights. Now that the South African Constitution highlights the rights of people to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing, people are becoming more aware and have started taking the issue of air pollution in a very serious light. With the new environmental legislation including the National Environmental Management Act 108 of 1009 and the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Bill (Draft 1, April 2003), most of the issues relating to air pollution will be dealt with in a better and more enforceable way