Over the next two months, the city of Cape Town will be calling for public comment regarding the revised air pollution bylaw. This bylaw will be in line with the new national legislation.

In 2003 the city was the first local authority to promulgate an air pollution bylaw and is the only municipality to have such a legislation.

James Vos, chairman of the city’s health committee, said the new bylaw would address concerns such as the illegal burning of tyres and copper wire, dust emissions from unpaved surfaces and construction activities, as well as stricter control of diesel vehicle emissions.

It will make way for a legal mandate that will allow the city to set emission standards.

Vos said that it was a key factor in the health of residents for the city to monitor and improve air quality.

The purpose of the air quality management plan would be to see Cape Town achieve the cleanest air in Africa and be able to reduce the health effects of poor air quality on citizens, particularly during brown-haze periods.

While the current bylaw has led to measurable improvement in the air quality over the past six years, it is no longer in line with present environmental legislation such as; the National Environmental Management Act and the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act.

This draft replacement bylaw will include control mechanisms that will become effective from September 11, in line with national legislation.

There will be a public hearing and workshop at the civic centre this month with other spheres of government, non-governmental organizations, business and industry.