Executive summary

Coal mining activities and processing are a source of dust that may cause considerable air
pollution due to drilling, blasting, movement of heavy machinery and other excavation
processes. Particles with aerodynamic diameters of less than 10μm termed PM10 (inhalable
particles) can be transported over long distances and enter the human respiratory system when
the settle on the ground. The Agency conducted a six-day ambient air monitoring exercise, for
ambient particulate matter (PM10) assessment within the fall out Zone of Wankie Colliery
Company and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) in Hwange. The status of air quality in
Hwange town is largely affected by coal mining activities by the giant mining company in the
area Wankie colliery company and the ZPC power station, one of the biggest in the country.
PM10 describes inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometres and
smaller. PM10 particles are so small that they effectively act as a gas. When breathed in they
penetrate deep into the lungs. Exposure to high concentrations of PM10 can result in a number
of health impacts ranging from coughing and wheezing to asthma attacks and bronchitis to high
blood pressure, heart attack, strokes and premature death. An assessment within the fall out
zone help verify whether the companies operating in the area are complying with the general
emission standards stated in S.I 72 of 2009, Atmospheric pollution control.
The monitoring process was done on five different locations were people reside most during
day and was conducted 8 continuous hours a day for six days. The criteria used for selecting
this points was stratified random sampling with factors such as security and accessibility of the
area being factored in. The areas used included a primary school, a secondary school, a
technical college, a police station and a hotel. Since this monitoring was done in the same area
where we assume is all polluted, because of the proximity to the polluting source, there was no
control for this monitoring, since a control would require a different location away from the
town where there are no polluting activities close by.
1.0 Introduction

From 19 June to 25 June 2018, the Agency conducted a six-day ambient air monitoring
exercise, for ambient particulate matter (PM10) assessment within the fall out Zone of Wankie
Colliery Company and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) in Hwange. Five ambient air
monitoring sites were established at points namely Ingagula Primary School, Village 3 Police
station, Wankie Secondary School, Don Bosco Technical College and Baobab Hotel.

2.0 Methodology
2.1 Site Selection

For site selection, stratified random sampling procedure was used. Firstly Hwange was divided
in stratus of residential locations namely village 2, village 3, Ingagula etc. From the stratus 5
locations were selected factoring in the issue of security and accessibility and in accordance
with international standards, specifically the AS 2922 – 1987 Ambient Air – Guide for the
siting of sampling units and AS/NZS 2923 – 1987 Ambient Air – Guide for the measurement
of horizontal wind for air quality applications. Australian standards were favoured over others,
mainly due to the fact that Australia occurs in the same latitudes as Zimbabwe. The Australian
Standards contain recommended sampler inlet positioning criteria for a range of ambient air
quality test methods.
Relevant criteria are summarised below:
 Height above ground level: 1 m – 15 m
 Minimum vertical distance from supporting structures: 1 m
 Minimum horizontal distance from supporting structures: 2 m
 Clear sky angle above sampling inlet: 120°
 Unrestricted airflow around sampling inlet: 360°
 Distance from trees: 20 m
 No air polluting appliance flues nearby
 Distance from roads (peak station): 5 m
 Distance from roads (neighbourhood and background stations) 50 m.

The five locations which were established are:

 Ingagula Primary School
 Village 3 Police station
 Wankie Secondary School
 Don Bosco Technical College
 Baobab Hotel
2.2 Site ambient air analysis

Casella Micro Dust Pro Analyser was used for sampling of PM10 on the selected sites. The Dust
Analyser has an air pump which draws air sample form the vicinity ambient into the measuring
chamber through the probe. The probe has a compartment where selected foam filters are fitted
to determine particle size to be measured. The measuring chamber uses the principle of amount
of scattered light due to presence of certain amount of particulate matter. Results are displayed
on the screen which is on the device as average and maximum after a period of continuous
measurement and can be stored in the device for printing at any time using an external universal
printer. Also, the probe is fitted with a holder for a 37mm-diameter-gravimetric-filter from
which particulate chemical analysis can be done. All the data gathered was stored in the
machine and later retrieved for analysis.
2.3 Legal emissions limits

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for PM10 are an annual-mean of 20 µg/m3
and a 24hr-mean of 50 µg/m3. The Zimbabwe Standard for Air Quality and Emissions
(ZWS977:2015), stipulates the requirements for ambient air quality on Table 1.

Table 1: ZWS977:2015 - Requirements for ambient air quality.

Compound Limit Exposure

CO 100 mg/m3 15min
Pb 0.5 – 1 µg/m3 Annual
NO2 200 µg/m3 1 hr
40 µg/m3 Annual mean
O3 100 µg/m3 8hr
PM10 150 µg/m3 24 hr mean
70 µg/m3 Annual mean
PM2.5 75 µg/m3 Annual mean
35 µg/m3 24 hr mean
SO2 500 µg/m3 10 min
125 µg/m3 24 hr mean

3.0 Details of monitoring points

3.1 Ingagula Primary School
Ingagula primary school

3.2 Village 3 Primary School

3.3 Wankie secondary school

3.4 Don Bosco Technical College

3.5 Baobab Hotel

4.0 Results and Discussion

5.0 Conclusion

6.0 Recommendations
There is need for defined ambient air equipment. Real time metrological data for Hwange is
crucial in the determination of dispersion of air pollutants hence need for working hand in glove
with the Metrological Services department. There is need for at least 12 months monitoring of
the ambient air in Hwange so that seasonal changes are incorporated. Ample time and resources
need to be directed on industries with air pollution issues so that there is enough monitoring
and hence appropriate action to cause pollution abatement.
DATE POINT MAXIMUM AVERAGE STANDARD VOLUME PERIOD TIME OF
DEVIATION OF AIR THE DAY
PUMPED
19/06/18 Village 3
Police
Station
20/06/18 Village 3
Police
Station
21/06/18 Village 3
Police
Station
22/06/18 Village 3
Police
Station
23/06/18 Village 3
Police
Station
25/06/18 Village 3
Police
Station
DATE POINT MAXIMUM AVERAGE STANDARD VOLUME OF AIR PERIOD
DEVIATION PUMPED
19/06/18 Wankie
Secondary
School
20/06/18 Wankie
Secondary
School
21/06/18 Wankie
Secondary
School
22/06/18 Wankie
Secondary
School
23/06/18 Wankie
Secondary
School
25/06/18 Wankie
Secondary
School

DATE POINT MAXIMUM AVERAGE STANDARD VOLUME PERIOD

DEVIATION OF AIR
PUMPED
19/06/18 Ingagula
Primary
School
20/06/18 Ingagula
Primary
School
21/06/18 Ingagula
Primary
School
22/06/18 Ingagula
Primary
School
23/06/18 Ingagula
Primary
School
25/06/18 Ingagula
Primary
School