Durban takes on Engen
2005-07-19 11:22
Johannesburg - The Durban health department intends taking Engen to court after sulphur dioxide emissions at its Durban oil refinery were found to be "excessive."
"We've served the necessary notices, we are moving ahead with the legal processes," the deputy head of the department for sub-district south, Selva Mudaly, said.
The oil refinery had exceeded its sulphur dioxide emissions 64 times in just over a month, according to a World Health Organisation report.
Mudaly said the decision came after an "extensive process of auditing" and monitoring the air quality at the refinery.
An "elaborate monitoring system" had been studying the plant's emissions for the past two to three years.
Mudaly said they were not charging the company in terms of the Air Quality Act, but by using the city's by-laws.
The refinery's general manager, Wayne Hartmann, said the company was surprised the emissions had exceeded permitted limits.
"Trying to understand what is behind it is a little problematic... it could be weather related."
He said the new limits were introduced when the company adopted its new scheduled trade permit.
A sophisticated monitoring system measured the air quality every ten minutes. An "exceedence" was registered every time the sulphur in the air surpassed 191 parts per billion.
"The quality of the air here is close to WHO guidelines. It's the difference between good and almost good, not between poor and shocking," Hartmann said.
He said the matter had been blown out of proportion, given the refinery's small number of "exceedences".
"In May there were 17 total exceedences in the area, to which our contribution was nil."
The plant's total annual "exceedences" numbered about 35, and its environmental standards were on a par with those worldwide.
"My refinery smells a hell of lot better than those do (in the United States).
"It's my expectation that the city will take action against us," he added.
The refinery manufactures diesel, fuel oils, gases, asphalt and kerosene.
- SAPA