Eskom’s Health Studies
01 October 2006
In response to a Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 application by the Centre for Environmental Rights to Eskom for:
“copies of all research studies and reports conducted by or for Eskom since 1990 on the impacts of human health of the atmospheric emissions from Eskom’s coal-fired power stations and the costs associated with those health impacts, including but not limited to studies and reports prepared by Infotox (Pty) Ltd and Airshed Planning Professionals (Pty) Ltd”,
Eskom made two 2006 health studies it had commissioned available:
- Eskom Mpumalanga Highveld Cumulative Scenario Planning Study (Airshed Planning Professionals (Pty) Ltd, October 2006)
- Air Pollution Health Risk Analysis of Operations of Current and Proposed Eskom Power Stations located in the Limpopo Province (Airshed Planning Professionals (Pty) Ltd, November 2006)
In making the reports available, Eskom advised: “after representation receive from a third party, we have decided to sever any mention made of the third party as they had no chance to comment on the findings in the report and they believe this could cause harm to their commercial and financial interest. This, as provided for, in terms of Section 36(1).”