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The Department of Environment Affairs will be visiting Sasol's Secunda Operations which are believed to be the possible source of a strong sulphur stench being experienced in parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
The Department says the stench, from this weekend, is likely a combination of elevated levels of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.
Officials from the Gert Sibande District Municipality will join the Department for the visit.
This, after the Municipality's Air Quality Officer, was informed that the Sasol Secunda operation is experiencing stressed conditions, as the facility started ramping up operations.
The pollutant causes an odour nuisance even at concentrations far below those that cause health hazards.
People who are sensitive to unpleasant odours are likely to experience headaches and nausea.
As part of the continuous investigations, the authorities are in the processes of requesting the Sasol Secunda Operations facility to account in terms of Section 30 of National Environmental Air Quality Management Act and to put mitigation measures in place, should they be found to be the source of the smell.
A spokesperson for the Department says once their investigation is done they will communicate further on the course of action taken.
A Warning about the air quality in Gauteng was issued on Twitter on Wednesday.
In 2018, a study revealed that Mpumalanga was the world's largest air pollution hotspot.
This followed a groundbreaking analysis of satellite data gathered between 1 June-31 August 2018.
The global number one hotspot for Nitrogen Dioxide emissions is home to twelve coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of over 32 gigawatts owned and operated by Eskom.
The satellite data further reveals that the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria are also highly affected by extreme NO2 pollution levels which blow across from Mpumalanga and into both cities due to proximity and regular east winds.
According to Greenpeace who conducted the study, air pollution is a global health crisis, with up to 95% of the world's population breathing unsafe air.
South Africa is a significant global hotspot with its high concentration of coal power stations and its weak air pollution standards.
