SACAQM Featured by WION

The SACAQM AI-powered air quality monitoring system has been featured by WION (World Is One News), an Indian English-language global news channel headquartered in Noida, highlighting its growing international visibility.

The coverage comes as Johannesburg faces a significant rise in coal-related emissions and deteriorating air quality. In response, South African scientists have developed the country’s first mobile application designed to warn residents about dangerous pollution levels in real time.

According to officials, the city is increasingly affected by emissions transported from coal mines and heavy industrial zones located along South Africa’s eastern corridor, sometimes originating from as far as 400 km away. This has contributed to a rise in respiratory health issues among residents, with many reporting breathing difficulties and worsening asthma symptoms linked to poor air quality.

The situation has been further intensified by persistent sulfur-like odors across parts of Johannesburg. Authorities attribute this to hydrogen sulfide emissions from mining and industrial activities, although investigations are still ongoing to identify the exact sources exceeding emission limits. The challenge is compounded by the country’s heavy reliance on coal, which still generates the majority of South Africa’s electricity, alongside emissions from major industrial players and additional pollution sources such as domestic burning and construction activities.

The new application, expected to launch later this year, will integrate data from hundreds of monitoring stations across the region. It aims to provide real-time alerts when pollution levels spike, along with health recommendations to help residents reduce exposure and protect themselves.

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