Air Quality

Local authorities play a key role in improving air quality and they do this through regulating industry and through the system of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM).
Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 places a statutory duty on local authorities to review and assess the air quality within their areas. Local authorities must work towards achieving objectives laid down in regulations for seven health based pollutants;

• Benzene
• 1, 3 Butadiene
• Carbon Monoxide
• Lead
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Particulate Matter (PM10)
• Sulphur Dioxide

The Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system came into effect in December 1997. Since then we have continued to review and assess air quality and have compiled a number of reports in line with government requirements.

What does SABC do?

SABC have various consultations, reviews and assessments, as well as monitoring air pollution by using Real Time Monitoring and the Passive Sampling Method.  Passive Sampling is a simple method to us, which gives a general indiction of the average pollution concrentration over a monthly period.

Find out further about the

• Passive Sampling Method and NO2 Diffusion tubes
• where the monitoring sites are
• the data collected each month
• the action plan for the future.