Air polluters could lose cars

2005-06-23 15:33

Johannesburg - Ekurhuleni drivers whose vehicles pollute the air could lose their vehicles, face fines and even be thrown in prison, the municipality said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, 26 truck drivers in Springs were fined R200 each, during the launch of a special operation, said Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

The drivers were also issued with notices to have their trucks fixed within two weeks.

"During the operation, conducted by the metro's health department and metro police, 61 diesel engine trucks were tested," Dlamini said.

"Those that failed were fined and will be re-inspected.

"If they still do not comply, (the owners of the trucks) may face further fines or imprisonment.

"The vehicles may also be confiscated."

The legislation that monitors the pollution is the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1965, he said.

Health officials carrying out the operation used Hatridge smoke meters, which were connected to the vehicle's exhaust pipe and produced a reading.

"The standard is 70 Hatridge smoke units. Any emission more than that is contravening the law," Dlamini said.

He said that the crackdown on vehicles started with council vehicles.

"All the vehicles were tested and those that were found to be in contravention of the law were reported to the specific departments and had to fixed and re-tested," he said.

"Even now that the campaign has gone public, council vehicles will also be stopped and tested."

Diesel emission contributes 38% of air pollution with particulate matters such as Nitrogen Oxide in Ekurhuleni.

The particulate matters are suspended in the air for a long period thus resulting in them being a danger to the community - due to their capability of being inhaled and reach alveoli of human lungs to cause lung cancer and other respiratory related medical conditions.

- SAPA