Air Pollution Analyst

The increasing impacts of climate change, fuelled by excessive greenhouse gases, pose significant risks to the health and wellbeing of people, often the most vulnerable and marginalised. Understanding the origins and extent of air pollution, through air pollution analysis, informs the development of responses to greenhouse gases and its impacts on environmental and human health and wellbeing.

Air pollution analysts collect, analyse and interpret air quality data and work to provide responses to address air pollution. They develop and coordinate the implementation of environmental management systems, to enable organisations to identify the impact of emissions on the environmental health of people. Air pollution analysts also support the formulation of reports and evaluation of draft and existing policies for managing air quality and remediation strategies.

Air pollution analysts can work as part of a team and liaise with environmental engineers, scientists and lab technicians. They sometimes visit testing sites, collecting emission data but mostly work in office and laboratory environments.

Skills

A solid understanding of national and international air pollution guidelines, regulations and policy is vital for air pollution analysts. They will further benefit from:

  • Strong research competence
  • Ability to work with large data sets
  • Analytical and logical problem-solving ability
  • Good verbal and written communication and presentation skills

Tasks

Conduct research and perform field and laboratory analysis

Conduct risk assessments and audits of existing and proposed projects

Develop and coordinate the implementation of environmental management systems

Assess organisational compliance and provide technical advice

Studies

B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. in Geography specialising in Atmospheric Science at all universities

B.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. in Chemistry at all universities

Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Health at CPUT, CUT, MUT and TUT

Employers

National, provincial and local government.

NGOs, community-based and development organisations and private consultancies.

Research institutions.

Mining and manufacturing companies.

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