Spatial assessment of early childhood development centers’ proximity to coal-related air pollution in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
1
Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Environmental Health Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A460
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Children are vulnerable to air pollution exposures due to their developing immune systems. In South Africa’s coal-dependent regions, emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), coal mines, and associated industries contribute substantially to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) levels. However, limited evidence exists on the spatial co-occurrence of pollution hotspots and Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities.
METHODS:
This study assessed the distribution of ECDs in relation to coal pollution sources and satellite-derived air pollutant concentrations in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Locations of ECDs, coal mines, and CFPPs were mapped. A 5 km buffer was created around CFPPs to identify ECDs within potential exposure zones, and distances from ECDs to the nearest pollution source were measured. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) was used to characterise clustering patterns of coal industries and ECDs. Annual mean NO₂ and SO₂ densities for 2021 were derived from Sentinel images. Getis–Ord Gi* statistics were applied to identify significant high and low-concentration clusters.
RESULTS:
A total of 2894 ECDs were mapped across Mpumalanga. Coal industries comprised 12 CFPPs and 82 coal mines, including operational and inactive sites. ECDs were unevenly distributed, with some located within 5 km of CFPPs. KDE analysis revealed spatial overlap between high densities of coal industries and ECDs. Hotspot analysis identified significant NO₂ and SO₂ clusters in areas with intensive coal-based activities. The minimum ECD-CFPP distance was approximately 1 km, while the closest ECD-mine distance was 640 m. A distance-decay pattern was observed, with the highest pollutant concentrations occurring within the first 40 km, followed by a sharp decline with increasing distance.
CONCLUSIONS:
In Mpumalanga, the proximity of ECDs to coal-related activities and elevated NO₂ and SO₂ levels suggests potential environmental exposures for young children, reinforcing the need for spatially informed regulation and monitoring.
Children are vulnerable to air pollution exposures due to their developing immune systems. In South Africa’s coal-dependent regions, emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), coal mines, and associated industries contribute substantially to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) levels. However, limited evidence exists on the spatial co-occurrence of pollution hotspots and Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities.
METHODS:
This study assessed the distribution of ECDs in relation to coal pollution sources and satellite-derived air pollutant concentrations in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Locations of ECDs, coal mines, and CFPPs were mapped. A 5 km buffer was created around CFPPs to identify ECDs within potential exposure zones, and distances from ECDs to the nearest pollution source were measured. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) was used to characterise clustering patterns of coal industries and ECDs. Annual mean NO₂ and SO₂ densities for 2021 were derived from Sentinel images. Getis–Ord Gi* statistics were applied to identify significant high and low-concentration clusters.
RESULTS:
A total of 2894 ECDs were mapped across Mpumalanga. Coal industries comprised 12 CFPPs and 82 coal mines, including operational and inactive sites. ECDs were unevenly distributed, with some located within 5 km of CFPPs. KDE analysis revealed spatial overlap between high densities of coal industries and ECDs. Hotspot analysis identified significant NO₂ and SO₂ clusters in areas with intensive coal-based activities. The minimum ECD-CFPP distance was approximately 1 km, while the closest ECD-mine distance was 640 m. A distance-decay pattern was observed, with the highest pollutant concentrations occurring within the first 40 km, followed by a sharp decline with increasing distance.
CONCLUSIONS:
In Mpumalanga, the proximity of ECDs to coal-related activities and elevated NO₂ and SO₂ levels suggests potential environmental exposures for young children, reinforcing the need for spatially informed regulation and monitoring.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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