Conclusions
1. South Africa is sensitive to climate change, and contributes
about 1.2% to global warming.
2. The levels of sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide and ozone are on
average within the accepted South African guidelines for human
health and the prevention of direct ecosystem damage. The
measured concentrations at ground level are not showing an upward
trend.
3. There are occasions, especially in the major urban areas,
where the concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, ozone and
particles are likely to lead to further health problems in people
who are already experiencing respiratory problems. No trend in the
number of times which these levels are exceeded is apparent, but
with more people living in urban areas, the impact is likely to
increase.
4. Indoor air quality constitutes a health hazard in
poorly-ventilated dwellings without chimneys, where coal, wood,
paraffin or dung are used as fuel. The electrification
of houses will improve this situation, as will the general
improvement in housing design and construction brought about by the
national housing policy. Greater efforts to improve the ambient air
quality (for instance by paving of roads in informal settlements),
to promote low-smoke fuels and to educate the public on the dangers
of open fires inside houses, are necessary.
5. Susceptible terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are likely to show
adverse effects of acid deposition in a few decades if the current
emission rates of sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide are continued or
increased.
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There is also information about Climatic and Atmospheric Change in the following reports:
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Metropolitan reports:
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Copyright © 1999 Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism. All Rights Reserved.
Site maintained by the Directorate Environmental Information and Reporting
Last update: October 1999
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