Optimising the Management of Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution in Gauteng, South Africa

During, D. (2021). Optimising the Management of Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution in Gauteng, South Africa. IIASA YSSP Report. Laxenburg, Austria: IIASA

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Abstract

According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution is now regarded as the world’s single biggest environmental threat to human health. Amongst the principal air pollutants, particulate matter pollution has been identified as the dominant contributor to the global health burden of outdoor air pollution. While population densification and urbanisation are seen as key drivers for particulate matter pollution, by far the largest contribution to future urbanisation and densification is expected to occur in Africa. This renders the continent especially susceptible to rapidly increasing particulate matter pollution.

High particulate matter pollution levels are already observed in South Africa, specifically in the Gauteng Province, which makes it an excellent case study for other South African and African urban areas, experiencing similar challenges. While air quality management in the region has been supported by Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) both at city and provincial level, none of these plans have been based upon an integrated assessment and optimization of costs and benefits towards the goal of complying with the NAAQS or to minimize negative impacts on human health.

This project aims to supply such an actionable evidence base for the Gauteng Province which will optimise the South African air quality management framework through control measures which address both health as well as economic concerns.

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