Combatting the health hazards posed by urban air pollution: Africa's battle.

Urbanization in Africa is rapidly expanding, yet many countries lack adequate technology to measure air pollution. Experts are developing new methods to monitor air quality, aiming to mitigate health risks associated with pollution. In Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, the city buzzes with activity, but suffers from air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and burning garbage. Felix Assah, from the University of Yaounde, highlights the health risks posed by polluted air, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as cancer.

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In a recent gathering in Yaounde, experts and organizations dedicated to improving air quality in Africa convened to explore collaborative efforts in utilizing sensor technology for monitoring air quality.

Cutting-edge technology:

Traditionally, measuring air quality has been expensive, but there have been notable advancements, according to Deo Okure, an air quality scientist at Makerere University in Kenya. In collaboration with fellow researchers, Okure spearheaded the development of a cost-effective local air monitoring system in 2015. One of its key advantages is its adaptability to various energy sources, Okure noted. Additionally, he highlighted that unlike systems reliant on Wi-Fi, their technology can transmit data via GSM or SIM cards, which are widely accessible across Africa.
Despite providing crucial data, the technology falls short as it currently cannot accurately pinpoint the sources of air pollution, according to Okure. However, in Yaounde, a new project has deployed real-time air quality monitoring devices. Ashu Ngono Stephanie, of Cameroon's National Meteorological Department, believes this will aid in monitoring dust levels more effectively. Yaounde joins nine other African cities in adopting this technology, with over 200 monitoring devices installed continent-wide. The data collected also inform policy decisions aimed at reducing pollution.

Oversaturated with pollution yet underrepresented:
Some organizations caution that measurement capabilities are falling behind due to rapid urbanization, with Africa being underrepresented in studies due to inadequate or nonexistent data collection. This is exemplified in the World Air Quality Report by Swiss technology company IQAir, which lacks data from 34% of Africa's population due to insufficient publicly available air quality data. Countries like Chad and Sudan are completely omitted from the report.
The report focuses on PM2.5 values, which are fine dust particles with a diameter no larger than 2.5 micrometers, akin to the thickness of cobwebs. According to the World Health Organization, these particles should not exceed an average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air annually. However, the most polluted cities in Africa exceed this by a factor of eight to 11, including capital cities like Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Cairo (Egypt), Abuja (Nigeria), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Additionally, two South African cities - the capital, Bloemfontein, and the coal-mining town of Benoni - topped the list.

Data ignites change:
A recent report by Greenpeace reveals Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa as the most polluted African countries in terms of industrial and economic activities, particularly the fossil fuel industry. Using satellite data and fuel sales records, emissions sources were identified, showing hotspots near thermal power plants, cement factories, metal smelters, industrial zones, and urban areas. Cynthia Moyo, climate and energy campaign manager at Greenpeace Africa, highlights that six of the world's top 10 nitrogen dioxide emission hotspots and two of the top 10 sulphur dioxide emission hotspots are located in South Africa.
In regions like Mpumalanga, located in the eastern part of the country, where coal burning for electricity generation is a major industry, stands out significantly, according to Moyo. Greenpeace indicates that many of South Africa's most polluting power plants are operated by Eskom, a state-owned utility. Moyo expresses concern that despite the well-documented air pollution crisis in Africa, there remains a lack of investment in clean energy. She emphasizes the importance of environmental monitoring to empower people to demand change from governments and polluters, ultimately striving for healthier and longer lives.