Air Pollution In Egypt: Understanding The Main Causes

Air pollution in Egypt is a severe issue, with Cairo, a megacity, being ranked first among ten cities in terms of air, light, and noise pollution in 2018. The primary sources of air pollution in Egypt are transportation, industry, and the open burning of solid organic waste material. The particulate matter of PM2.5 and PM10 varieties, which pose the greatest risk to people's health, are several times higher than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this paragraph, we will explore the causes of air pollution in Egypt and the measures being undertaken to address this pressing issue.

Vehicle emissions

The Egyptian government has recognized the need to address this issue and has taken steps such as halving fuel subsidies to discourage the use of private vehicles. However, transport costs have risen significantly, disadvantaging low-income households. Additionally, there has been a lack of investment in mass transit systems, with Cairo having only 4 kilometers of metro per million population, which further contributes to the reliance on private cars.

To mitigate the impact of vehicle emissions on air pollution, Egypt has proposed several solutions. One approach is the introduction of an e-bus fleet as a strategic step towards reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change. This involves replacing diesel buses with electric buses, which is estimated to contribute to a 9.5% reduction in carbon emissions. The Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project aims to improve air quality through pilot efforts to expand the use of electric buses and vehicles in the city.

Another strategy is to encourage a shift away from private cars towards improved public transport. The Egypt E-Mobility White Paper suggests that electrifying public transport is a manageable potential solution for reducing high GHGs. Additionally, improving the sustainability of such investments includes designing measures to mitigate the impact of disasters like climate change, complementing the project.

The challenges associated with the implementation of e-buses in Egypt include operational issues such as battery range and weight, charging technologies, infrastructure costs, scalability, and flexibility. However, the first phase of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project is addressing these challenges by focusing on potential bus routes, detailed bus design, and the integration of recharging infrastructure.

Poor waste management

Egypt generates approximately 30 million tons of agricultural waste and six million tons of industrial waste annually. However, the country has struggled with ineffective waste management systems, with up to 40% of its generated waste being dumped in streets, rivers, lakes, drainage channels, or illegal sites. This issue is exacerbated by a lack of centralised governmental oversight, with authority dispersed among various ministries and legislative inefficiencies.

The zabbaleen, or garbage collectors, have long played a crucial role in Cairo's waste management. These informal workers, mostly Coptic Christians, have collected, sorted, salvaged, and recycled the city's waste since the 1930s or 1940s. Despite their efforts, the zabbaleen faced marginalisation and a lack of governmental support, resulting in impoverished living conditions.

In recent years, the Egyptian government has made attempts to improve waste management. In 2013, the Ministry of Environment launched a national campaign focusing on waste collection, transportation, and recycling. Cairo also initiated a project in 2012 to monitor waste management using IT. Additionally, the government has started to officially employ the zabbaleen, providing them with uniforms, vehicles, and business training.

Several startups, such as Baramoda, Bekia, and Up-fuse, are also transforming waste management in Egypt by creating innovative solutions. For example, Baramoda produces bio-organic compost from agricultural waste, reducing irrigation demands and chemical fertiliser use while increasing land productivity. Bekia, a Cairo-based startup, has introduced a bartering system where people can exchange recyclable waste for basic goods. These initiatives not only address waste management issues but also unlock social and commercial opportunities.

Industrial power

The main source of air pollution in Egypt is particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10, which come from transportation, industry, and the open burning of solid organic waste material. Industrial power falls under this category, as emissions from factories and manufacturing processes release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions can include a range of toxic substances, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter, which have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.

Egypt's industrial sector encompasses various industries, including heavy industries such as steel, cement, and petrochemicals, which are known for their high emissions and pollution levels. For example, the production of cement involves the burning of fossil fuels, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change. Additionally, the oil and gas industry, which receives significant investment in Egypt, is a major source of air pollution, as the extraction and production processes release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants.

The impact of industrial power on air quality is further exacerbated by the country's proximity to desert regions. Windblown dust from the surrounding Sahara and Sahel areas contributes to the high levels of PM2.5 pollution in Egypt, particularly in the north of the country. This desert dust, also known as sand and dust storms, can carry particulate matter over long distances, affecting air quality even in areas far from industrial centres.

To address the issue of air pollution from industrial power, Egypt has implemented various measures. The country has received funding from international development organizations, such as the World Bank, to support its efforts. For instance, the World Bank's Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project aims to improve waste management practices and introduce electric buses to reduce emissions from transportation. Additionally, Egypt's "Vision 2030" project sets a goal to reduce air pollution from fine suspended particles by 50% by 2030, demonstrating the government's commitment to improving air quality.

Desert dust

Egypt's proximity to the Sahara Desert means that a large portion of the dust in its air is blown in from the surrounding desert lands. This dust is not uniform; it contains many biological particles and allergens, which can cause respiratory issues for the population. This is particularly true for those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Sahara Desert is the main global source of atmospheric dust, with Northern Africa contributing around 50% of dust emissions. The dust is carried west on Atlantic trade winds, and its movement depends on wind conditions and the availability of light, dry mineral and organic sediment sources.

Drought conditions and unsustainable water and land use associated with global warming can increase the amount of dust available to be transported. While dust storms have historically been less frequent in the western Mediterranean, recent studies have shown an increase in both their frequency and intensity since 1948.

The Egyptian government has been taking steps to address the country's air pollution crisis. "Egypt's Vision 2030" is a project that aims to reduce air pollution from fine suspended particles by 50% by 2030. The government has also halved fuel subsidies, although this has resulted in increased transport costs, which disproportionately affect low-income households.

In addition to desert dust, air pollution in Egypt is caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and the open burning of solid organic waste material. The primary source of PM2.5 air pollution in the Greater Cairo area is road transport, with ageing private cars and taxis accounting for 80% of an extreme congestion problem.

Fossil fuel use

Egypt's Vision 2030 is a government project that aims to reduce air pollution from fine suspended particles by 50% by 2030. This project focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, improving waste management, and strengthening decision-making systems for air quality and climate. While this project shows promise, Egypt has also invested heavily in fossil fuel-prolonging projects, mainly for oil and gas extraction or production, which may hinder progress in reducing air pollution.

Transportation is a major contributor to air pollution in Egypt, with road transport being the primary source of PM2.5 air pollution in the Greater Cairo area. Ageing private cars and taxis account for 80% of an extreme congestion problem, with traffic volumes reaching 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane. The government has halved fuel subsidies, but transport costs have risen, disadvantaging low-income households. Additionally, until recently, a 50% subsidy on gasoline and diesel, along with a lack of traffic charges, provided few incentives for people to move away from older, more polluting vehicles.

The Egypt E-Mobility White Paper proposes a shift towards improved public transport and electric vehicles as a strategy to reduce air pollution and mitigate climate change. This includes introducing an e-bus fleet, improving bus services, and encouraging the use of electric cars. However, operational issues such as battery range, charging technologies, and infrastructure costs need to be addressed for these initiatives to succeed.

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