NGO: Black Dust From Factories Cloakes Morocco’s Kenitra

Rabat – The atmosphere in Kenitra, an industrial hub 20 minutes off of the Moroccan capital Rabat, is intoxicated with a thick layer of “black dust.”

City locals have reached out to a local NGO, explaining their concerns about the health repercussions of the black dust, according to a statement from Morocco’s Association for Human Rights (LMCDH).

The black dust is causing many respiratory issues among locals, for adults as well as children. The health toll is especially worse for people with existing respiratory issues, LMCDH said, citing the complaints it has received.

After consulting with a local environmental NGO, LMCDH concluded that the black dust is composed of pollutant particles that are potentially cancerous and could result in serious health conditions for locals.

The pollutant particles could cause respiratory, heart, and artery issues, the NGO explained, underlining that the health risks could be as dangerous as causing heart strokes.

Based on observation, LMCDH says that the city’s electricity generating units in addition to industrial waste from Knitera’s industrial zone are directly causing the black dust.

Morocco’s national laboratory for pollution detection and research has previously said that the black dust is the result of “rising temperatures during summer.” The laboratory added, however, that the dust does not “pose any health hazard to locals or the environment”

In response, LMCDH said that the conclusions of the official directly contradict the observable reality, as the black dust is a year-long phenomenon and only clears during short periods of the year.

LMCDH concluded its statement by condemning the official report, arguing that it is out of phase with the reality of everyday life for locals who suffer from health, mental, and property damage due to the black dust.

The advocacy group further called on the government and local authorities to intervene and protect locals’ right to a safe and clean environment.

LMCDH also said it has taken legal action by filing a complaint at the general prosecutor’s office in Kenitra, adding that it is currently considering the possibility of organizing street protests to attract public attention to the problem.