Acting Deputy Head of Pollution Control and Risk Management Zandile Shange, Durban Natural Science Museum’s Dr. Leigh Richards and Ward 86 Councillor Sizwe Mthethwa unveiling the air quality management stand.

THE City’s Health Unit, under the Pollution Control and Risk Management Division, celebrated the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies at the Durban Natural Science Museum. Celebrated under the theme ‘Invest in Clean Air Now,’ the event aimed to emphasise international efforts to enhance air quality and mitigate air pollution which poses a significant environmental health risk, causes economic losses, and diminishes agricultural productivity. The event, which was attended by students from Zwelibanzi High School in uMlazi, also unveiled the air quality management stand and the official handover of the National Air Quality Indicator Project by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. Phathu Raphalalani, Senior Manager for Pollution Control in the City, highlighted the educational value and importance of the new stand. “We are excited as a City to have this stand in one of our museums. We appreciate the efforts from our partners both internally and from the province. The City currently operates 15 air monitoring stations and we are pleased that the City is leading in air monitoring.

We are committed to collaborating with the public and other stakeholders to reduce air pollution through collective investments of time, resources, and efforts,” said Raphalalani. The stand will allow museum visitors, including school groups and the public, to observe real-time air quality data. Dr. Leigh Richards from the Durban Natural Science Museum noted that the museum received over 44 000 visitors last year, with approximately 32 000 being school children. “This exhibit will share important knowledge about air quality in our City with visitors. It aims to empower sustainable air quality management while emphasising the importance of clean air in our lives,” Richards said. A presentation on air quality management was also conducted for students, enhancing their understanding of the critical issue of air pollution.