NACA would like to submit a comment on the draft South African Weather Service amendment bill, and in particular the statement that 'No person may issue a severe weather or air pollution-related warning without the necessary written permission from the Weather Service'. Please send all comments to Kristy Ross at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Monday 23 January 2012.

Please click here to download the draft SAWS amendment bill.

The Department of Environmental Affairs has published draft regulation on Dust Management in terms of section 32 of the National Environmental Management – Air Quality Act (Act 39/2004) for public comment.

Click here to download the DRAFT NATIONAL DUST CONTROL REGULATIONS

Simply put, dispersion models are computer programs the use meteorological information and emission data to estimate the ambient concentrations of pollutants at ground level resulting from the emission.

CLICK HERE to download a .PDF document with more information.

Ambient air quality  management is now "effects based" and is therefore  primarily based on the air quality in the recieving environment  and not simply on managing individual sources. In south africa the following are criteria pollutants:

Emission standards are based on measuring the source of the air pollution, eg. A stack from a foundry, etc. The Act has set up a guideline for emission standards and these are now being regulated in industry.

National Environment Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004

An article by Yvanne Scorgie