Ambient air is defined as any air on the external side of a pollution source’s boundary fence to which the public have access. This includes industrial areas neighbouring a pollution source. The Ambient Air Quality Limits are derived from the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004, SA standards (SANS 1929:2005) and / or other standards / limits, where applicable. The South African Government considers the air quality through dedicated regulations and implementation of norms and standards and through dissemination of knowledge and awareness among the society at large.
What can you expect from our Ambient Air Monitoring Procedure?
- We deploy Radiello Samplers in a weather-resistant housing on the site perimeter fences for a period of time. Radiellois an accurate, precise and certified instrument (EN 13528: 2002; EN 14662-4.5: 2005) that has no energy consumption, does not involve the use of heavy and bulky pumps, does not require surveillance, produces no noise, is suitable for flammable or explosive environments and can be used anywhere due to its simplicity. The diffusive body is cylindrical rather than flat, as in traditional axial diffusive samplers, and the adsorbent is contained within a coaxial cylindrical system.
- Sampling starts extremely simply: the sampler is assembled, exposed to the air (by wearing it or hanging it) and the start date and time are recorded. At the end of the sampling period the radiello is withdrawn and the date and time of end of sampling are recorded. We send of the radiello samples to a SANAS accredited laboratory for analysis.
- Once we have received the analysis report, we compare the analysed concentrations to local and international standards, compile an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring report and where possible, provide recommendations.
KCM Environmental Services follows the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard method for the collection and analysis of dust fall out (ASTM D1739:1970). This method is accepted by the Department of Environmental Affairs, National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004.
What can you expect from our Dust Fallout Monitoring procedure?
- Collection and measuring of dust-fall, by means of employing a simple device comprising of a cylindrical container (at least 150mm in diameter, and twice as deep as the diameter) that is exposed for one calendar month (±2 days).
- After the 30-day period, we recover and seal the buckets which are then sent to a SANAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.
- We compare the analysed concentrations to local and international standards.
- We compile a Dust Fall Monitoring report and where possible, provide recommendations.
KCM performs these surveys in accordance with SANS 10103:2008, “The Measurement and Rating of Environmental Noise with respect to Annoyance and to Speech Communication.
Our noise monitoring procedure covers the following:
- Ambient sound level measurements are proposed to be undertaken at various points along the perimeter of the property and in the surrounding community.
- Daytime and night-time measurements being undertaken during the prescribed timeframes in SANS 10103:2008, which specifies daytime monitoring between 06:00 and 22:00, and night-time monitoring between 22:00 and 06:00.
- We compare the captured sound levels to local and international standards.
- We compile a noise monitoring report and where possible, provide recommendations
The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act no. 39 of 2004) stipulates that that any operation producing air pollution – which in terms of the Act is referred to as an atmospheric emission – must ensure that they have in place an effective air quality management plan. Stack Emissions Testing (stack sampling or stack monitoring) enables you to demonstrate your compliance against regulated emission limits outlined for permitted processes or environmental compliance with Atmospheric Emission Licences (AEL), new applications and renewals.
The requirement for stack emissions testing is determined based on potential environmental impacts from your business. The higher your emissions the more meticulous the requirements for monitoring. Our environmental monitoring team have served many industries, such as, refineries, foundries, sawmills, incinerators/crematoria, food and beverage facilities, asphalts plants, pulp and paper, and many more.
How can we assist?
- Environmental consultants and field technicians at KCM test for all pollutants listed in the legislation, such as, Particulate Matter (PM), SO2, NOx, CO, HCl, HF, NH3, Heavy Metals, TVOC’s – and even dioxins, furans and PAH’s. Particulate Matter (PM), Oxygen % (O2), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydrogen chloride (HCl), Hydrogen fluoride (HF), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Ammonia (NH3), Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC’s), Metals including Mercury (Hg), Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Dioxins and furans
- Air emission measurements and sampling are performed with the validated USEPA test methods.
- KCM’s sophisticated air monitoring equipment, such as our TESTO 340 Flue Gas Analyses from Germany and Clean Air Express train assembled in America, as well as experienced staff ensures a premier service for our clients.
- We strive to make all test methods and data available which ensures complete transparency and leaves clients feeling confident that they have test results of integrity.
- We work together with government regulations to ensure that the data and format of reports are to the satisfaction of all parties.
SAAELIP (South African Atmospheric Emission Licencing and Inventory Portal) is an online portal for the management of Atmospheric Emission Licenses (AEL) as well as the estimation and reporting of atmospheric emission inventories terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004). The development of the SAAELIP accommodates both the System for National Atmospheric Emission Licencing (SNAEL) and the National Atmospheric Emission Inventory System (NAEIS). NAEIS is an internet-based emissions reporting system that allows facilities to report their emissions on an annual basis.
Who needs to submit a NAEIS report?
- Activities which require an AEL or any person that undertakes a listed activity in terms of Section 21 of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (NEM: AQA)
- Activities declared as controlled emitters i.e. temporary asphalt plants, small-scale charcoal plants and small boilers, as outlined in Section 23 of NEM: AQA
- Any person, that holds a mining right or permit in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002)
- Any person that operates facilities which generate criteria pollutants and has been identified in accordance with the applicable municipal by-law.
How can we assist?
- KCM can register your facility on the SAAELIP portal
- Complete your online NAEIS submission for your facility’s air emissions
- Submit your NAEIS report which must be submitted by 31st March on an annual basis. Should operators fail to submit NAEIS applications before this deadline, this is regarded as an offence and such operators could face penalties.
Diesel vehicle exhaust emissions are governed by the National Environmental Management, 1998 (Act 107 Of 1998), Model Air Quality Management By-Law for Easy Adoption and Adaptation by Municipalities. In addition to the government regulations, many companies perform these tests in compliance for their ISO 14001 certification.
How can we assist?
- KCM offers the service of measuring opacity from diesel vehicle engine exhausts.
- Our Diesel Exhaust Smoke meter which caters for all diesel driven vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, buses, plus light and heavy plant machinery).
- Our equipment is mobile; hence the testing is conveniently conducted on your site and it is internationally recognised and approved by VOSA for MOT testing in the UK.
Air Dispersion Modelling is an essential tool in air quality management for providing the link between environmental effects and discharges to the air. The models are typically employed to determine whether existing or proposed new industrial facilities are or will follow the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
KCM performs this service for all industries requiring it, here is how:
- Our skilled staff performs a mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere with computer programs, namely AERMOD. The computer programs include algorithms to solve the mathematical equations that govern the pollutant dispersion.