Shongweni stench does not pose health risks‚ says landfill company

Embattled waste management company EnviroServ says the odour emanating from their Shongweni landfill does not carry human health risks.

Citing a specialist report‚ which was commissioned by the company‚ EnviroServ said that hydrogen sulphide did not pose a risk to surrounding communities. The smell from the Shongweni landfill spurred hundreds of complaints from residents and ultimately resulted in EnviroServ’s licence to operate being revoked by the Department of Environmental Affairs.

“A specialist report on the human health risks arising from the Shongweni Landfill has found the primary air contaminant contributing to odour in the Upper Highway area is present at levels not linked with major health issues.

• EnviroServ to appeal landfill closureCustodians of the controversial Shongweni landfill site – which has had surrounding residents up in arms over a noxious smell emanating from the dump – have filed an appeal against it’s closure. 

“The contaminant is hydrogen sulphide which is not associated with a risk of cancer‚” the company said in a statement on Thursday.

“The community health risk assessment by professional scientific company Infotox took four months to complete and considered all potential sources of hazardous substances in air released from the Shongweni Landfill operations.

 The work included air samples being sent to accredited laboratories in the United Kingdom for analysis‚ detailed dispersion modelling by Airshed Planning Professionals as well as direct readings taken on the site with calibrated instruments‚” it reads.

EnviroServ CEO Dean Thompson appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s court this week on charges of contravening environmental legislation.

• Stinky landfill CEO could face more chargesEnviroServ CEO Dean Thompson made a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and may face further criminal charges in relation to the management of the controversial Shongweni landfill site. 

The company also had its operational licence suspended‚ but it was challenging this decision.

TMG Digital/TimesLIVE