The air quality monitoring stations/ sampling sites of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality are located at/on:

In the centurion area:

• The Health Services Offices - Clifton Avenue Lyttelton;
• Rooihuiskraal Library, Hofsanger Road, Rooihuiskraal x 17; and
• Portion 99, Zwartkop 356 JR, Sunderland Ridge.

In the Pretoria Area:

• Mamelodi (residential);
• Atteridgeville (residential);
• Sammy Marks (CBD);
• Myburgh Street; and
• CSIR (Industrial, residential).

In the Northern Metropolitan Sub-Structure:
None

In the Pienaars River Catchment Area
To be completed as soon as information is available

In the Eastern district Council Area
To be completed as soon as information is available

In the West Crocodile River Catchment Area:
There are no existing air quality sampling points.

The main focus is presently on the measurement of smoke, sulphur dioxide concentrations and vehicle emissions.

Air pollution, which includes the levels of lead, smoke and sulphur dioxide, has increased gradually in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Air pollution data collected in the Pretoria area (from April 1999 to March 2000), indicates a decrease of SO2 levels at one point and no significant changes at two points. Annual average lead, SO2 and smoke levels are well below national and international standards. The main causes of air pollution are industries, vehicles, veld fires and the burning of coal by households without electricity. Air pollution levels are worst in winter.  Read more.....

Air pollution in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality is the main cause of most lung diseases and mortality related that occur. The communities that are most affected are the low-income communities where coal is still commonly used for cooking and heating purposes. Other contributors of air pollution are solid waste disposal, incineration of industrial, residential and hospital wastes and even industrial and chemical processes due to process generated other than combustion or gasification.   Read more.....

The provision of the APPA (Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965) (Act 45 of 1965) allow for local authorities to control the various forms of air pollution, including noxious gases, smoke and dust. Health Officers of the current local councils investigate air pollution problems upon complaints and visual observations. In addition, data on soiling indexes for smoke and soot, (following the CSIR-SMOG 3 method) are collected and compared to the air quality guidelines and standards of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

Other legislation that deals with limited aspects of air pollution is:

• The Health Act (Act 63 of 1977);
• Minerals Act (Act 50 of 1991); and
• The Road Traffic Act (Act 29 of 1989)

Electrification is seen as an important way to relieve urban air pollution.  Read more.....