Brian Barton
Air pollution is a significant issue in Africa, causing approximately 1.1 million deaths per year. It is the second-leading risk factor for death across the continent, with five of the world's ten most polluted countries located in Africa. The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa is almost double the global average, and the impacts are particularly severe on newborns, infants, and young children. Household air pollution, from the use of solid fuels for cooking and inefficient household appliances, is a major contributor to the high death rate. African leaders are taking action to address air pollution and climate change, with the potential to prevent 880,000 deaths per year by implementing measures in key areas such as transport, energy, and waste management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths due to air pollution in Africa | 1.1 million per year |
| Number of deaths preventable with action against air pollution and climate change | 880,000 per year |
| Number of deaths preventable by 2030 with action against air pollution and climate change | 200,000 per year |
| Number of newborn deaths due to air pollution | 236,000 per year |
| Number of child deaths due to air pollution | 700,000 per year |
| Number of child deaths due to household air pollution | 500,000 per year |
| Number of child deaths due to pneumonia linked to air pollution | 3.8 million per year |
| Death rate linked to air pollution in Africa | 155 deaths/100,000 people |
| Global death rate linked to air pollution | 85.6 deaths/100,000 people |
| Number of deaths due to air pollution in Egypt | 90,600 in 2019 |
| Number of deaths due to air pollution in São Tomé and Príncipe | fewer than 100 in 2019 |
| Number of deaths due to air pollution in Comoros | fewer than 100 in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
- Air pollution is the second-leading cause of death in Africa
- ,000 deaths per year could be prevented by taking action on air pollution
- Newborns and young children are disproportionately affected by air pollution
- Air pollution is caused by desert dust in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa
- Air pollution is a leading cause of lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and hypertension
Air pollution is the second-leading cause of death in Africa
Air pollution is a pressing issue in Africa, and it is the second-leading cause of death on the continent. According to a report by Health Policy Watch, approximately 1.1 million people in Africa died prematurely from air pollution-related diseases in 2019. This accounts for one-sixth of the total global estimate of 7 million deaths annually due to air pollution. The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa is almost double the global average, with 155 deaths per 100,000 people compared to the global average of 85.6 per 100,000.
The sources of air pollution in Africa are diverse and vary across the continent. In many developing African cities, a toxic mix of pollutants collides, including smoke from household cooking and heating with biomass, uncontrolled waste burning, emissions from old diesel vehicles and generators, and industrial emissions. The use of solid fuels, such as wood, animal dung, and crop waste, for cooking and heating is a significant contributor to household air pollution, impacting the health of those exposed, especially women and children who spend more time near the domestic hearth.
The effects of air pollution on health are far-reaching. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, stroke, and hypertension. It is also associated with an increased risk of asthma, especially in older children. In Africa, air pollution is a leading cause of death among newborns, with approximately 236,000 newborns dying within the first month of life due to exposure to household air pollution. Additionally, more than 50% of premature deaths due to pneumonia in children under five are caused by particulate matter (soot) inhaled from household air pollution.
The impact of air pollution on Africa's children is particularly concerning. In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to over 700,000 deaths of children under five years old globally, with Africa and Asia being the most affected regions. The death rate from air pollution in children under five in Africa is 100 times higher than in high-income countries. UNICEF has emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, highlighting the profound effects of inaction on the next generation.
Some African countries have begun to address air pollution through policy measures and initiatives. For example, Egypt has implemented the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, which aims to improve solid waste management and reduce pollution from waste burning. Ethiopia has also developed Addis Ababa's first Air Quality Management Plan, demonstrating its commitment to reducing pollution in priority sectors. Additionally, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the African Union Commission have outlined key areas where African leaders can take action to combat climate change, prevent air pollution, and protect human health.
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880,000 deaths per year could be prevented by taking action on air pollution
Air pollution is a significant threat to human health, causing around 7 million deaths each year globally. In 2021, this figure rose to 8.1 million deaths worldwide, with children under five being particularly vulnerable. In Africa, the problem is even more severe, with the continent facing some of the worst health impacts of air pollution. According to a report by the Health Effects Institute, an independent US-based nonprofit research organization, Africa recorded about 1.1 million deaths from air pollution-related diseases in 2019. This figure accounts for one-sixth of the total global estimate.
The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa is almost double the global average. The report further reveals that across Egypt, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and South Africa, the combined annual cost of health damages from PM2.5 exposure is over $5.4 billion. In addition, newborns and young children in Africa are disproportionately affected by air pollution, especially household air pollution (HAP). Approximately 236,000 newborns in Africa die within the first month of life from air pollution exposure, with 80% of those resulting from HAP.
However, there is hope on the horizon. An Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa, released by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the African Union Commission, outlines five key areas where African leaders can take swift action to combat climate change, prevent air pollution, and protect human health. These areas include transport, residential, energy, agriculture, and waste management. By following the recommended actions, African governments could prevent 200,000 premature deaths per year by 2030 and 880,000 deaths per year by 2063.
To achieve these reductions in air pollution-related deaths, African nations should transition to sustainable clean cooking methods and efficient household appliances for refrigeration and air conditioning. They should also move towards renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and capture methane from oil, gas, and coal production. Additionally, reducing methane emissions from agriculture through better livestock and manure management, minimizing crop losses and food waste, and promoting healthy diets are crucial steps. Lastly, developing better waste management systems, generating less organic waste, and reducing open burning are essential components of the strategy.
By addressing these key areas, Africa can significantly reduce the number of deaths caused by air pollution and protect the health and well-being of its citizens, especially its most vulnerable populations, including newborns and young children.
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Newborns and young children are disproportionately affected by air pollution
Air pollution is a major public health concern in Africa, with the death rate linked to it being almost double the global average. It is the second-leading risk factor for death across the continent, causing approximately 1.1 million deaths.
Newborns and young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 80% of the nearly 236,000 deaths in the first month of life are attributable to household air pollution (HAP). Across Africa, about 236,000 newborns die within the first month of life from air pollution exposure, with 80% of those coming from HAP. Household air pollution accounts for most pollution-attributable newborn deaths, with the rest being attributable to ambient PM2.5.
The use of solid fuels for cooking, such as kerosene, biomass (wood, animal dung, and crop waste), and coal, is a significant contributor to HAP. In regions where cooking with solid fuels is most prevalent, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, babies have the highest rates and numbers of deaths attributable to air pollution. The toxicological impact of air pollution on human health is well-documented, and the pollutants can cause permanent damage to brain tissue and lungs, neuro-inflammation, and damage to areas of the brain critical for learning and development.
Additionally, air pollution is linked to an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth, with babies born too small or too early being more susceptible to health problems such as lower-respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, brain damage, blood disorders, and jaundice. Growing evidence also links mothers' exposure to air pollution during pregnancy with an increased risk of their infants being born prematurely or with low birth weight.
The lack of ground-level monitoring stations in Africa further exacerbates the issue, as it leads to a potential underestimation of the severity and scope of the problem. Only 6% of children in Africa live in areas where air pollution is reliably measured at ground level, leaving half a billion children at risk of breathing toxic air. This highlights the urgent need for reliable ground-level data and monitoring systems to better understand the daily and hourly fluctuations in air quality and to devise effective responses to protect the health and development of newborns and young children.
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Air pollution is caused by desert dust in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa
Air pollution is a pressing issue in Africa, with the continent experiencing some of the worst air pollution and severe health consequences globally. In 2019, air pollution was the second-leading risk factor for death across Africa, contributing to more than 1.1 million deaths. The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa is approximately 155 deaths per 100,000 people, almost double the global average.
One significant source of air pollution in Africa is desert dust from the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa. This desert dust, also known as sand and dust storms, is a mixture of particulate matter from arid areas. Windblown dust from these regions significantly contributes to the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Africa. The impact of this dust extends beyond the continent, as Saharan dust intrusions affect Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal regions, with evidence of Saharan dust transport causing diseases even in Caribbean coral reefs.
The health effects of desert dust are well-documented, particularly in the Sahel region, where dust storms are linked to an increased incidence of bacterial meningitis. This is believed to be due to the irritating effects of dust on the respiratory system. Additionally, during Saharan dust storms in Europe, there is a correlation between windblown desert dust exposure and mortality and morbidity. The economic impact of dust storms is also significant, with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region losing about 13 billion USD in GDP annually due to dust storms, according to the UN.
To address the issue of air pollution from desert dust, several African countries have begun implementing policy measures to improve air quality. For example, Egypt has initiated the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, which aims to improve waste management and reduce pollution from waste burning, as well as promote the use of electric buses and vehicles in the city. These efforts to combat air pollution are crucial, as it is estimated that by taking action, African countries could prevent up to 880,000 deaths per year by 2063 and significantly reduce the negative health and environmental impacts of air pollution.
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Air pollution is a leading cause of lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and hypertension
Air pollution is a complex mixture of gaseous components and particulate matter (PM) that can have an independent effect on the body or synergistic and antagonistic effects. It is a leading cause of lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and hypertension.
Lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer have all been linked to air pollution. According to a 2015 study, household air pollution from coal combustion resulted in somatic genomic mutations in lung tissues and peripheral blood samples of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Outdoor air pollution and particulate matter have also been classified as class I human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution, with poor air quality contributing to the development and exacerbation of asthma.
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are also strongly associated with air pollution exposure. Short- and long-term exposure to air pollution has been shown to increase hospitalizations for serious cardiovascular events, particularly in those with pre-existing heart conditions. The pathobiological mechanisms leading to these adverse effects include endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, platelet activation, and increased propensity for coagulation. The impact of air pollution on the cardiovascular system is of particular concern in low and middle-income countries experiencing rapid industrialization, as air pollution levels are projected to rise.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has been linked to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM). Environmental pollution interacts with genetic predispositions, such as epigenetic changes, to influence the development of hypertension. The causal role of PM in hypertension development is well-established, and it is considered one of the modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
In Africa, air pollution is a significant issue, with the continent housing five of the world's ten most heavily polluted countries. The death rate linked to air pollution is almost double the global average, with over 1.1 million deaths attributed to air pollution exposure in 2019. Newborns and young children are especially vulnerable, with household air pollution contributing to a substantial number of deaths.
The effects of air pollution on health are far-reaching and devastating, with lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and hypertension being leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Addressing air pollution and implementing mitigation strategies are crucial steps towards improving public health and reducing the burden of these diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the US-based Health Effects Institute, 1.1 million people in Africa died prematurely from air pollution-related diseases in 2019. This accounted for one-sixth of the total global estimate of 7 million deaths that year.
Common sources of air pollution in Africa include household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires. In developing African cities, air pollution sources include smoke from household cooking and heating with biomass, uncontrolled waste burning, emissions from old diesel vehicles, diesel generators, and industrial emissions.
Air pollution in Africa has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory diseases, lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, hypertension, and asthma. It is also associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases in adults, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, air pollution exposure during pregnancy can result in premature birth and low birth weight.
