Yonge Nawe Environmental Action Group


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Yonge Nawe introduces a community based air pollution monitoring system
15 February 2002

Yonge Nawe Environmental Action Group hosted a one-day workshop, which brought together representatives from Communities, Workers Associations, local authorities, and NGOs on the 13th of February at the Foresters Arms Hotel. The purpose of the workshop was:

To share information on air quality issues in Swaziland
To discuss the health and social effects of poor air quality on communities and the environment
To identify sites for air quality monitoring.

Participants welcomed the "Bucket Brigade," a simple method of taking air samples. This basic device uses an ordinary bucket equipped with an air bag, a pipe and a pump. Air samples are sent to a laboratory for testing levels of air pollution. The Bucket Brigade will enable communities to challenge and work with government and industry to improve air quality in their neighbourhoods. Yonge Nawe facilitated the workshop with assistance from its partners, Ardiel Soeker from groundWork (South Africa) and Denny Larson from the Global Community Monitor (USA).

Representatives mapped out industrial activities and highlighted sources of pollution, different odours emitted from these as well as common health problems within their neigbourhoods. Some of the diseases mentioned include asthma, chest pains and hair loss. Participants were excited as they took turns to practice using the “Bucket Brigade” system. A practical demonstration was done the following day at Luhleko community within the Sappi Usuthu Pulp mill. A sample was shipped to the United States and results are expected within two weeks, which shall inform the relevant communities of the pollution levels of the air they are breathing.

Air pollution monitoring in Swaziland has been neglected for many years, said Mr. Joecking Dlamini, a worker representative from Sappi Usuthu at this workshop. We welcome the "Bucket Brigade" as it is going to assist us in monitoring air pollution particularly industrial pollution, he says.

Air pollution monitoring is part of Yonge Nawe’s Environmental Justice Campaign Programme, which seeks to ensure that social justice is achieved and communities are not victims of pollution and environmental injustices. In this campaign Yonge Nawe is networking with, groundWork, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDECA), GCM, the South Africa Exchange programme on Environmental Justice and Livaningo, a Mozambique based NGO.

Yonge Nawe is planning to visit some of the sites identified by participants. Mobile monitoring sites will be deployed at strategic areas and more air pollution monitoring awareness workshops will be conducted.

If you suspect incidences of air pollution in your area you may contact us.

Yonge Nawe Environmental Action Group Email: yonawe@realnet.co.sz
P O Box 2061 Mbabane Swaziland	Tel: +268 404 7701 +268 404 1394 Fax: +268 404 7701