Greta Jimenez
Africa is home to some of the world's most polluted cities and countries. Air pollution is the second-leading risk factor for death across the continent, causing an estimated 1.1 million deaths in Africa in 2019, with 63% linked to household air pollution exposure. The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa is almost double the global average. While there are many sources of air pollution in Africa, the biggest contributors are fossil fuel use for energy production, transportation, industrial and semi-industrial activities, and residential fuel use.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Niger, Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritania, and Cameroon are among the most polluted countries in Africa
- In 2019, air pollution contributed to an estimated 1.1 million deaths in Africa
- Newborns and young children are disproportionately affected by air pollution
- Fossil fuel use is the biggest contributor to air pollution in Southern Africa
- Only 19 African countries can monitor air quality
Niger, Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritania, and Cameroon are among the most polluted countries in Africa
Nigeria, a country in western Africa with a large population and rapid growth, experiences a range of pollution issues. These include water pollution, noise pollution, soil pollution, and air pollution, which have caused a growing number of health issues and deaths. Lagos, the largest and most densely populated city in Nigeria and Africa, has recorded PM2.5 readings between 30 and 50 μg/m³, indicating moderate to unhealthy air quality. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to Nigeria's air pollution.
Egypt, a transcontinental country in northeast Africa and southwest Asia, ranked 56th out of 98 countries in terms of pollution in 2020. Cairo, the capital city, has recorded air pollution levels up to 100 times higher than the worldwide acceptable standards, with a US AQI reading of 63 in 2019. The main sources of air pollution in Egypt include transportation emissions, industrial activities, and the open burning of solid organic waste, which releases harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, iron, and lead into the air.
Niger, a country in West Africa, has recorded high levels of air pollution, with an annual average PM2.5 exposure of 80.1 μg/m³, one of the highest in Africa. Oil spills and gas flaring in the Niger Delta region have contaminated air, land, and water, leading to devastating effects on the health and livelihoods of residents.
Mauritania, a country in northwest Africa, faces pollution issues, particularly in its capital city, Nouakchott. While specific data on Mauritania's pollution levels is limited, the country experiences similar environmental challenges as its regional counterparts. These challenges include dust storms, industrial activities, and waste management issues, which contribute to air and land pollution.
Cameroon, a country in central Africa, borders Nigeria and faces similar environmental challenges. While specific data on Cameroon's pollution levels may vary by region, the country experiences the impacts of industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and waste management practices on air and water quality.
Street Runoff: Ocean Pollution's Unseen Source
You may want to see also
Explore related products
In 2019, air pollution contributed to an estimated 1.1 million deaths in Africa
Africa is home to five of the ten most polluted countries in the world. In 2019, air pollution contributed to an estimated 1.1 million deaths in Africa, with 63% of these deaths linked to household air pollution exposure. This makes air pollution the second leading risk factor for death across the continent. The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa (155 deaths/100,000 people) is almost double the global average (85.6/100,000).
The sources responsible for PM2.5 pollution vary within and between countries and regions across Africa. Residential fuel use, fossil fuel use for energy production, transportation, industry, and waste burning all contribute significantly to outdoor PM2.5. Fossil fuel use is the biggest contributor in Southern Africa, while residential fuel use is an important factor in Eastern and Central Africa. For example, energy production contributes to 23% of the ambient PM2.5 levels in South Africa.
In arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, including the Sahara and Sahel regions in the south, dust and sandstorms also significantly contribute to air pollution. Africa's air pollution sources are not limited to fossil fuels, which are used for transport, urban heating and cooling, and power generation. Other sources include significant emissions from the inefficient burning of biomass for household cooking and heating, industry, crop and waste burning, and semi-industrial activities such as charcoal production and artisanal mining.
The impact of air pollution on health and economic development in Africa is severe. 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 more than 5.4 billion US dollars. In addition, air pollution is costing African countries billions in gross domestic product and can be correlated with a devastating loss in the intellectual development of Africa's children.
Waste Pollution: Solutions for a Sustainable Future
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Newborns and young children are disproportionately affected by air pollution
Africa is home to five of the ten most polluted countries worldwide regarding outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The death rate linked to air pollution in Africa is almost double the global average. The burden of air pollution on African livelihoods and population health is among the highest in the world.
Newborns and young children in Africa are disproportionately affected by air pollution, especially household air pollution (HAP). HAP accounts for most pollution-attributable newborn deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 80% of the nearly 236,000 deaths in the first month of life are attributable to 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. Air pollution is the third-largest risk factor for deaths in children under the age of 5, after malnutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) in sub-Saharan Africa.
Children under the age of five are especially at risk, and the effects are believed to be most severe in developing countries, where exposure to high levels of ambient air pollution throughout childhood is thought to lower total life expectancy by an average of 4-5 years. In 2019, 14% of all deaths in children under 5 years of age across Africa were linked to air pollution. UNICEF reports that deaths from outdoor air pollution in Africa rose by 57% from 1990 to 2017, resulting in an annual GDP loss of over $215 billion.
Growing evidence links mothers' exposure to air pollution during pregnancy with an increased risk of their infants being born prematurely, with low birth weight, or too small. These infants are more susceptible to health problems such as lower-respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, brain damage, and inflammation, blood disorders, and jaundice.
Finding Dark Skies: Avoiding Light Pollution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fossil fuel use is the biggest contributor to air pollution in Southern Africa
Africa experiences some of the worst air pollution and the most severe health consequences globally. In 2019, air pollution was the second-leading risk factor for death across Africa, with an estimated 1.1 million deaths linked to air pollution. Africa is home to five of the ten most polluted countries worldwide regarding outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Fossil Fuel Use in Southern Africa
Southern Africa's biggest contributor to air pollution is fossil fuel use, which has profound health consequences for the region's population. Fossil fuel use for energy production, transportation, and industry are significant contributors to outdoor PM2.5 levels. South Africa, for example, is the largest emitter of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and also leads in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on the continent. The electricity sector's reliance on fossil fuels is one of the main reasons for the high levels of nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide in the air. South Africa's carbon-intensive economy relies on fossil fuels for more than 90% of its primary energy demand.
Mpumalanga, a region in South Africa, has been particularly affected by the country's coal dependency. Residents of Mpumalanga have reported health issues and chronic diseases linked to the pollution from coal plants, and they have also experienced job losses as companies opt to hire from outside the region due to health concerns. Eskom, a public utility company with the South African government as its sole shareholder, operates many of the most polluting plants in the country.
Six of the world's ten largest NO2 emission hotspots are in Africa, all in South Africa, and two of the ten largest SO2 emission hotspots are also in the country. Of the ten largest SO2 point sources identified in Africa, nine are thermal power stations, with four located in South Africa. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation increases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) in the atmosphere.
To address the air pollution crisis, Greenpeace Africa has recommended investing in clean technologies, especially in the energy sector, and implementing a carbon tax to incentivize the use of non-fossil-fuel-based energy sources. However, South Africa's current carbon tax may be ineffective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to the low levy.
Ocean Pollution: Solutions and Innovations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Only 19 African countries can monitor air quality
Africa has the highest burden of air pollution on livelihoods and population health compared to other continents. In 2019, air pollution contributed to an estimated 1.1 million deaths in Africa, with 63% linked to household air pollution exposure. Newborns and young children are disproportionately affected by air pollution, especially household air pollution.
The sources responsible for PM2.5 pollution vary within and between countries and regions across Africa. Residential fuel use, fossil fuel use for energy production, transportation, industry, and waste burning significantly contribute to outdoor PM2.5. Fossil fuel use is the biggest contributor in Southern Africa, while residential fuel use is an important contributor in Eastern and Central Africa. In arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, including the Sahara and Sahel region in the south, dust and sandstorms also significantly contribute to air pollution.
According to IQAir's 2022 World Air Quality Report, only 19 African countries could monitor air quality, with only 156 stations producing all the data for the continent. In contrast, 95% of countries in Europe are legally required to check air quality, and regulations ensure public access to this information. The ability to accurately assess air quality can empower authorities to produce better strategies and guidelines for public health.
Low-cost sensor air monitoring is gaining momentum in Africa. A study coordinated by the University of Lagos in Nigeria led to the formation of an interregional committee to work on air purification in five cities. 65 locally developed low-cost sensors will be deployed in the selected cities to complement the existing reference monitors.
To improve air quality in Africa, better monitoring of air quality in different regions must be implemented as comprehensively as possible, offering a more detailed characterisation of the sources of air pollution active in each area. More study is required on exposure to air pollutants in different African settings, and the impact this has on health outcomes.
Pollution Paradox: City Life Expectancy Mystery
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
While there are conflicting reports, with some sources citing Niger, Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritania, and Cameroon, and others reporting that only 19 African countries have the ability to monitor air quality, Niger has the highest levels of air pollution in Africa, with 80.1 μg/m3 recorded in 2019.
Fossil fuel use for energy production, transportation, industry, and residential fuel use are all contributing factors to outdoor PM2.5 pollution.
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, which is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
Air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death across the continent, with an estimated 1.1 million deaths in 2019. It is also causing the premature death of children, with 14% of all deaths in children under 5 years of age linked to air pollution.
Some countries are beginning to implement policy measures to improve air quality. For example, Egypt has introduced the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, which aims to improve waste management and expand the use of electric buses in Cairo.
