Publication: Review of Urban Air Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa Region: Air Quality Profile of SSA Countries
Date
2012
ISSN
Published
2012
Author(s)
Schwela, Dieter
Abstract
In Africa, urban outdoor air pollution
is responsible for an estimated 49,000 premature deaths
annually with indoor use of solid fuels being responsible
for eight times this value, the main burden being borne by
Sub Saharan African countries. Air pollution, outdoor and
indoor, affects the health and life chances of millions of
people in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA)every day. There is a link
between air pollution and poverty since poor people are
exposed to higher concentrations of air pollutants and tend
to suffer disproportionately from the effects of
deteriorating air quality (AQ). Children in cities exposed
to high concentrations of air pollutants will more often
develop respiratory ailments which prevent them from
developing and learning well. As a consequence they will
suffer in adult life from low levels of qualifications and
skills. The implication of poorly educated children is not
only a reduction of quality of their lives but also an
obstacle for the economic development of a country as a
whole. Rapid urbanization means increase in motorization and
economic activity which in turn leads to increased air
pollution if countermeasures are not taken. In view these
linkages addressing urban AQ in SSA is particularly
important. Air pollution in Sub Saharan cities appears to be
on the rise with respect to many key pollutants. In some
cities where monitoring has been performed levels of air
pollution exceed World Health Organization recommended
guidelines. The main cause of urban air pollution is the use
of fossil fuels in transport, power generation, industry and
domestic sectors. In addition, the burning of firewood,
agricultural and animal waste also contributes to pollution
levels. Pollutant emissions have direct and indirect effects
with a wide range of impacts on human health, ecosystems,
agriculture and materials. There is a growing need to
determine the state of urban AQ and the challenges posed to
solve it and identify the most effective measures to protect
human health and the environment. Learning from experience
and successes in urban AQ management (AQM) from other
countries can assists in the formulation and implementation
of strategies to achieve better AQ in Sub Saharan Africa.
This report compiles the information provided by the
25countries in a harmonized way and gives an in-depth review
of AQ in SSA with AQ profile of each country, presenting the
country's main current urban AQ issues, emissions
standards, ongoing projects, lessons learned from good/bad
practices. It was attempted to compile this information also
for additional SSA countries from available publications and
internet sources.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Schwela, Dieter. 2012. Review of Urban Air Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa Region: Air Quality Profile of SSA Countries. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/26864 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”