Meghan Hodges
Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. With a population of over 20 million, Cairo is the most populous city in the Middle East and the second most populous in Africa. The city's pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including traffic congestion, industrial power, open waste burning, and poor waste management. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cairo is the second most polluted large city in the world, and air pollution causes around 18,000 premature deaths in the city each year. The Egyptian government has taken steps to improve air quality, but the city continues to struggle with pollution and its associated health and environmental impacts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 19.5 million-23 million in 2020 |
| Air pollution ranking | Second most polluted large city in the world (2018) |
| Air pollution-related deaths | 18,000 per year |
| Noise pollution ranking | Third loudest city in the world |
| Light pollution ranking | Third brightest city in the world |
| Primary sources of air pollution | Road transport (33%), agricultural slash and burn (20%), industrial power (17%) |
| Air pollution concentration | 13.6 times greater than WHO 2021 recommended levels |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Cairo is the world's second most polluted city, according to the WHO
- Cairo's air pollution causes around 18,000 premature deaths annually
- Road transport is the primary source of air pollution in Cairo
- Cairo's noise pollution is reportedly the third loudest in the world
- Cairo's light pollution is reportedly 85 times brighter than the natural sky
Cairo is the world's second most polluted city, according to the WHO
Cairo, Egypt, has been ranked as the world's second most polluted city, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, which studied air pollution globally from 2011 to 2015, placed Cairo just behind New Delhi, India, in terms of overall pollution levels.
Cairo's air pollution is largely due to a combination of factors, including its large industrial sector, high volume of traffic, poor waste management, and dusty climate. The city is located in a valley, which can contribute to the concentration of pollutants in the air. According to the WHO report, residents of Cairo breathe in air containing 11.7 times the recommended safe level of PM2.5 and 14.2 times the safe level of PM10. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, which is considered the most harmful type of air pollution. In Cairo, the primary source of PM2.5 pollution is road transport (33%), with ageing private cars and taxis accounting for 80% of the city's extreme congestion problem.
The Egyptian government has acknowledged the severity of the pollution issue and has implemented measures to address it. In 2018, the government announced a plan to reduce air pollution by 50% before 2023 as part of a nationwide sustainable development strategy. This includes initiatives such as the Agricultural Professions Syndicate's campaign to plant one million fruit trees in public spaces, starting with Cairo's poorer, more polluted neighbourhoods. The government has also halved fuel subsidies, although this has resulted in increased transport costs, disproportionately affecting low-income households.
In addition to air pollution, Cairo also struggles with noise and light pollution. According to Eco Experts, the city is the third loudest in the world, with noise levels reaching a daily average of 85 decibels, comparable to spending all day inside a factory. Light pollution is also a significant issue, with artificial light in Cairo reaching levels 85 times brighter than the natural sky, according to the same report.
Fireworks' Pollution Impact: Understanding the Environmental Cost
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cairo's air pollution causes around 18,000 premature deaths annually
Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. A visitor to the city in 2018 noted that even after just a day in Cairo, they could feel the effects on their breathing, sleep, and skin. The air pollution in Cairo is so bad that it causes around 18,000 premature deaths annually, or about 16% of the annual total for the Middle East and North Africa region. This is more than road injuries, diabetes, TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS combined. Poor waste management, heavy traffic, and a large industrial sector all contribute to Cairo's air pollution problem.
The primary source of PM2.5 air pollution in Cairo is road transport, accounting for 33% of the total. Cairo's roads are extremely congested, with traffic volumes reaching 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane, far exceeding the maximum theoretical flow of 1,900. In addition, many of the vehicles on Cairo's roads are ageing private cars and taxis, which produce high levels of emissions. Cairo's mass transit options are also inadequate for a city of its size, with only 4km of metro per million population. Until recently, subsidies on gasoline and diesel, combined with a lack of traffic charges, created few incentives for people to switch to cleaner forms of transportation. While the Egyptian government has taken steps to address this problem by halving fuel subsidies, transport costs have risen significantly, disadvantaging low-income households.
Agricultural slash-and-burn practices account for the second-highest proportion of Cairo's PM2.5 air pollution, at 20%. This practice has become increasingly common due to the growing demand for real estate on agricultural land in the cities surrounding the Nile Valley. Industrial power contributes the third-highest concentration of Cairo's PM2.5, at 17%. Cairo is home to one-third of Egypt's industries, many of which are natural resource-based, such as iron and steel, brick and cement, power stations, and fertilisers. Despite the existence of pollution abatement projects, few industrial plants in Cairo have adequate waste treatment facilities.
Poor access to technology also contributes to Cairo's air pollution problem. Many farmers in the region burn rice straw following the harvest, creating an annual black cloud across the Nile Delta and Cairo. However, the Egyptian government is taking steps to address this issue, collecting 500,000 tons of straw in 2020, or 90% of total production. The government is also constructing a new recycling facility and working with the World Bank to support communities in adopting safer disposal practices.
The air pollution in Cairo has improved in recent years due to government action and donor support. However, the true benefits of reduced air pollution are not yet being realized. Implementing clean air policies could save Cairo around $0.7 billion and reduce 3,000 deaths by 2040.
Industrial Revolution's Legacy: Pollution's Dark Evolution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Road transport is the primary source of air pollution in Cairo
Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. According to the World Health Organization's Global Ambient Air Quality Database, Cairo ranks as the second worst for PM10, or particulate matter that is 10 micrometres or less in diameter. When judging by PM2.5, Cairo is not quite as bad, but still ranks near the bottom.
The primary source of PM2.5 air pollution in Cairo is road transport, which accounts for 33% of the total. The city's roads are clogged with cars and motorbikes spewing fumes into the air. Cairo's mass transit options are poor for a megacity of its size, with only 4km of metro per million population. Until recently, a 50% subsidy on gasoline and diesel, along with a lack of traffic charges, created few incentives for people to move away from old, polluting vehicles. As a result, 17% of private cars and 32% of taxis are over 25 years old, contributing significantly to the city's air pollution problem.
Traffic congestion is a major issue in Cairo, with traffic volumes reaching 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane, far exceeding the maximum theoretical flow of 1,900. Ageing private cars and taxis account for 80% of this extreme congestion problem. The Egyptian government has taken steps to address this issue by halving fuel subsidies, but transport costs have risen, impacting low-income households.
To improve air quality, Egypt has invested in public infrastructure, such as Cairo's Metro Line 3, which has helped reduce the number of cars on the road. The government has also formulated a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction action plan as part of its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. Additionally, the Ministry of Environment, with financing from the World Bank, is working to introduce electric buses to the city, providing a more sustainable transport option.
While Cairo's air pollution levels are still high, government action and donor support have led to improvements in recent years. The true benefits of reduced air pollution are yet to be realised, but the cumulative impact of levers on air pollution from 2023 to 2040 could save the city around $6 billion, almost half of Egypt's current investments in education, healthcare, and other social services.
Unknowing Polluters: Our Daily Actions' Impact on the Planet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cairo's noise pollution is reportedly the third loudest in the world
Cairo, Egypt, is one of the world's most polluted cities, if not the most polluted city. The city's air quality and waste management issues continue to plague its over 20 million residents. Cairo's noise pollution is arguably worse, though it is rarely talked about. Eco Experts' research found that Cairo is the third loudest city, after Guangzhou, China, and Delhi, India. A report by the Egyptian National Research Center found that noise pollution in Cairo reaches a daily average of 85 decibels, which Eco Experts likened to "spending all day inside a factory."
The noise in Cairo never seems to stop, with constant honking, shouting, and construction noises. Even at 3 a.m., the honking persists. The noise can leave your ears ringing and make it hard to sleep. The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning that every 10-decibel increase represents a tenfold increase in intensity. As a result, the noise levels in Cairo can have significant health impacts, including elevated blood pressure and other stress-related diseases.
The problem of noise pollution in Cairo is not new. A 2007 report by the Egyptian National Research Center found that noise pollution reached an average of 90 decibels and never dropped below 70 decibels. According to Dr. Daniel Fink, chairman of the Quiet Coalition, noise pollution can cause various health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart attacks, strokes, and even death.
The high population density and busy roads in Cairo contribute significantly to the noise pollution. With over 20 million residents and millions of drivers, the city's highways, roads, and alleyways are constantly clogged with cars, motorbikes, and other vehicles. In addition to the noise from vehicles, street-side vendors shout to attract customers, and the rumble of construction is ever-present.
The Egyptian government has taken steps to address the city's pollution issues, including air and noise pollution. However, the true benefits of reduced air pollution are yet to be realized fully. Cairo's noise pollution continues to be a significant issue, impacting the health and well-being of its residents.
Ocean Pollution: How Long Until It's Too Late?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cairo's light pollution is reportedly 85 times brighter than the natural sky
Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. A range of factors contribute to the city's poor air quality, including traffic congestion, industrial power, open-waste burning, and agricultural slash-and-burn practices.
In addition to air pollution, Cairo also struggles with noise pollution and light pollution. The former, though rarely discussed, is a significant issue, with Cairo ranked as the third loudest city in the world by Eco Experts.
Cairo's light pollution is also a notable problem, with artificial light reportedly 85 times brighter than the natural sky. This extreme level of light pollution not only impacts the environment and the economy but also affects the sleep of Cairo's residents, contributing to health issues and sleep deprivation.
The light pollution in Cairo is so severe that it obscures the night sky, and many residents may never experience a starry sky or see the Milky Way. The city's light index is 85 times brighter than the natural sky, making it one of the brightest cities globally. This brightness is caused by the high concentration of artificial light sources, such as streetlights, advertising lights, and illuminated buildings, which contribute to the city's overall glow.
While Cairo's light pollution is a significant issue, efforts are being made to address it. Research has been conducted to study and quantify the problem, and initiatives like school programs are helping to educate residents about light pollution and its impact on the environment and astronomy. Additionally, the Egyptian government has been taking steps to improve air quality and reduce overall pollution levels, which may also contribute to mitigating light pollution.
Cyanobacteria: A Lake's Silent Polluter
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cairo is one of the world's most polluted cities, ranking second according to a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) report. The city is also the most populous in the Middle East and the second most populous in Africa, with over 20 million residents.
Road transport is the leading cause of PM2.5 air pollution in Cairo, contributing 33% of the total. The city's congestion problem is exacerbated by ageing private cars and taxis, with traffic volumes reaching 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane. Poor waste management and a large industrial sector also contribute to the city's pollution levels.
The government has taken steps to improve air quality, aiming to halve air pollution by 2023. They have halved fuel subsidies and are constructing a new recycling facility. The Ministry of Environment is also working on the third phase of industrial pollution control and creating eco-friendly industrial zones.
Air pollution in Cairo causes approximately 18,000 premature deaths annually, or 16% of the total. Sensitive groups may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing and throat irritation, and even healthy individuals may experience these issues with prolonged exposure.
Cairo also suffers from significant noise and light pollution. It has been ranked as the third loudest city globally, with noise levels reaching a daily average of 85 decibels. The city is also the third brightest, with artificial light 85 times brighter than the natural sky, impacting sleep quality.
