Develop strategies to reduce air pollution

 The emerging evidence has linked the smoggy skylines observed in several towns across the country to high levels of pollution. 

The fear about the hazy skylines was worsened by the KCCA revelation that it detected pollution several times higher than the WHO normal range of 25 microgram per cubic metres. 

The results from the 23 air quality monitors across Kampala indicated that average particulate matter (PM 2.5) is at 75 micrograms per cubic metre higher than the WHO cut-off point. Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, many of which are hazardous to human health. Particulate matter 25 are the final inhalable particles.

Today, air pollution is largely responsible for environmental quality worsening in many cities worldwide, with adverse outcomes on human health. 

According to the last WHO, more than 80 per cent of people living in the urban areas are subjected to air quality levels above the emission limits in relation to pollution. 

The primary atmospheric pollutants are carbon monoxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ozone, and sulfur dioxide. The increase in emission amounts of these pollutants is due to the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation of developing countries.

Figures from the Real Time Air Quality Index for Uganda measured on a 24-hour basis shows that air in Kampala oscillates between 70 for moderate to  more than162, which is beyond unhealthy for breathing. 

The air pollution has reached worrying levels and exposes people to health risks such as respiratory tract infections. Several studies have linked mounting respiratory tract infections such as asthma and chronic bronchitis to air pollution. Research shows a connection between air pollution and lung cancer, and suggests it may contribute to childhood mortality.

According to a survey conducted by Makerere University College of Health Sciences, 40 per cent of deaths in Uganda are due to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. 

Yet if there is a malady lurking in the backyard, it is the air we are breathing, an invisible death-trap that continues to afflict the health of thousands.

Globally, 30 minutes of exposure to air in three cities of Gwalior and Allahabad in India plus Zabol in Iran are just enough to cause harm. For cities in Africa, Kampala tops the list for cities with the most polluted air in East, Central and Southern Africa.

 Here, 90 minutes of exposure to the fumes are enough to cause damage to your health. Other cities in Africa include Bamenda in Cameroon where 45 minutes on the road are enough to cause harm.

According to statistics from the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics, nearly 50,000 vehicles make their way to the city every day. This makes a total of more than 150,00 vehicles alone in the city, a day, that is spread across 189 square kilometres.

 Many sources of urban outdoor air pollution such as industries and vehicles are well beyond the control of individuals and demand action by cities, as well as national and international policy makers to promote cleaner transport, more efficient energy production and waste management. 

The latest urban air quality database shows that 98 per cent of cities in low and middle-income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines. 
Air quality is measured by the amount of particulate matter it contains.

Therefore, to mitigate the air pollution problem, efforts have to be taken to decrease the pollutants. 

Patrick Edema, 
[email protected]