• Monitoring data show that safe air pollution levels for health are being approached or occasionally exceeded in some parts of the CMA.

• Emissions of pollutants to the air are increasing as a result of industrial activities as well as increased vehicle traffic (see Transportation ) and the burning of waste (see Waste).
• Air pollution legislation currently does not provide for the control of all pollutants emitted to the atmosphere.

• Nitrogen dioxide: Guidelines for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are being approached or exceeded at the City Hall and, to a lesser extent, Goodwood.
• Sulphur dioxide: Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) guidelines have been exceeded in Table View in a few instances, but are low elsewhere.
• Lead: Levels of lead have been found to be decreasing in most areas of the CMA, with the exception of Goodwood.
• Particulates: The steady increase in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in recent years is of concern.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): An extensive survey of VOC levels has found that the central business district and residential areas of Cape Town are at risk of detrimental health effects such as irritation from exposure to VOCs.
• Odours: Complaints of odours from industrial, commercial and residential sources are regularly investigated by environmental health and air pollution control staff. Current air pollution legislation does not address odours.   In 1998 a total of 303 complaints regarding air pollution were registered in the CMA, with 109 and 77 complaints registered in the City of Cape Town and the City of Tygerberg respectively. Seventy notices were issued with no subsequent prosecutions.

• Exceedances of WHO and UK guidelines for SOx, NOx, PM₁₀, O₃, NMHC, UV, H₂S, Pb, VOC.
• Number of complaints registered.
• Number of notices served.
• Number of successful prosecutions.

• Vehicle and traffic indicators ( see Transportation indicators)

• Health indicators are described in (see Health indicators)

• See a summary of all Indicators on this website

• Diesel vehicle testing and emissions control is being undertaken in association with MLCs.
• Strict controls are being enforced on industry in accordance with the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act 45 of 1965).
• The Metropolitan Transport Plan (‘Moving Ahead’) is being revised.
• National government is being pressured to replace outdated air pollution legislation.
• The Department of Transport has been approached to include vehicle emissions testing in existing compulsory vehicle testing procedures.

Additional response underway:

• A comprehensive study, the Cape Town Brown Haze Study, which determines the causes of brown haze was undertaken by UCT’s Energy Research Institute for the CMA to which the CMC contributed.

• Report incidences of air pollution to your local authority.