Cairo's Air Pollution: Where Does It Go?

Cairo, Egypt's capital, is one of the world's most populated regions, with over 20 million people. The city has long struggled with air pollution, with levels of fine particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5, which pose significant health risks, far exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended levels. The primary sources of this pollution are road transport, industrial activity, agricultural waste burning, and the congestion of ageing private cars and taxis. These emissions contain harmful pollutants such as NO2, CO, and SO2, which contribute to respiratory issues and premature deaths. Cairo's rapid urbanization, weak environmental regulation enforcement, and fuel subsidies have exacerbated the problem. However, the Egyptian government is taking steps to address air pollution, including reducing fuel subsidies and investing in public transport and electric buses.

Air pollution from Cairo's traffic congestion

Cairo, Egypt's capital city, is home to more than 20 million people. The city's air pollution is largely due to traffic congestion, with road transport accounting for 33% of PM2.5 air pollution in the greater Cairo area. The city's narrow streets and high population density contribute to the problem, with traffic volumes reaching up to 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane, far exceeding the maximum theoretical flow of 1,900. The high number of old, fuel-inefficient private cars and taxis on the road, coupled with a lack of mass transit options, exacerbates the issue.

The Egyptian government has recognised the harmful effects of air pollution and is taking steps to address it. They have halved fuel subsidies, but this has resulted in increased transport costs, disproportionately affecting low-income households. The government has also partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to create eco-friendly industrial zones in the city and improve waste management practices. In addition, the World Bank has approved a $200 million loan to support Egypt's efforts to reduce air pollution, focusing on reducing vehicle emissions, improving solid waste management, and strengthening decision-making systems for air quality.

The impact of air pollution on the health of Cairo's residents is significant. According to the World Bank, around 2 million people a year seek medical treatment for respiratory issues related to poor air quality. In 2019, air pollution caused approximately 100,000 premature deaths in Egypt. The pollution also contributes to other health problems, including heart disease, strokes, and cancer. The economic cost of air pollution in the Greater Cairo Region is substantial, estimated at 1.4% of Egypt's GDP.

To combat the pollution, several projects have been proposed, including the Green Belt project, which aims to introduce green spaces around the Ring Road of Greater Cairo to mitigate the effects of pollution and protect citizens from respiratory issues and allergies. Additionally, there are plans to create a new electronic bus fleet and improve inspection and vehicle maintenance within Greater Cairo. These initiatives offer promising solutions to the city's air pollution crisis, which is a pressing issue for both the environment and the well-being of Cairo's residents.

The impact of industrial pollution

Cairo, Egypt's capital, is a major hub for water and land trade, with a population of 23 million in 2020, projected to increase to 38 million by 2050. The city's pollution problems have surged with its population, with the air quality in Cairo exceeding 11 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organisation in 2018.

The primary sources of air pollution in Cairo are road transport (33%), agricultural slash and burn (20%), industrial power, and open waste burning. The burning of agricultural waste, for example, has severe health consequences, with toxic smoke causing chronic respiratory problems. The industrial sector also contributes significantly to Cairo's air pollution, with big-time polluters surrounding the city, including Helwan's brickworks, iron, and steel works, and Shubra Al-Kheima's smelters and chemical plants.

Furthermore, industrial pollution has been linked to increased death rates and negative health impacts such as respiratory disorders, allergies, malignancies, and cardiovascular disorders. The economic costs of air pollution are also significant, with the annual cost of air pollution in the Greater Cairo Region estimated at 1.4% of Egypt's GDP.

To address these issues, the Egyptian government is taking steps to improve air quality, such as reducing fuel subsidies and creating eco-friendly industrial zones. Projects like "Egypt's Vision 2030" aim to reduce air pollution by 50% by 2030, while the Green Belt project focuses on introducing green spaces around Greater Cairo to mitigate pollution and protect citizens' health.

Cairo's waste management issues

Cairo, Egypt's capital, is a megacity with a population of over 20 million people. The city's rapid urbanisation, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, and cheap fuel have contributed to a waste management crisis. Cairo produces more than 15,000 tons of waste daily, and according to the World Bank, only 60% of it is properly collected, resulting in significant economic, environmental, health, and safety concerns.

The city's waste management issues are exacerbated by a combination of private, public, and informal (Zabbaleen) collection techniques that struggle to keep up with the increasing volume of municipal waste. The Zabbaleen, or informal waste pickers, play a crucial role in Cairo's waste management system, but they cannot address the scale of the problem alone. The Egyptian government has recognised the need for improved waste management and is taking steps to address the issue.

One proposed solution is to implement a closed-loop model that integrates the consumer market supply chain with waste collection and reuse. This approach aims to involve public, private, and Zabbaleen resources in a way that suits Egyptian markets and municipalities. By connecting the supply chain system with the informal waste picker network, Cairo can optimise its waste management processes and reduce the environmental and economic impacts of waste.

Additionally, Cairo's air pollution levels are alarmingly high, with the city ranked first among ten cities in terms of air, light, and noise pollution in 2018. The primary sources of air pollution in Cairo are road transport, industrial activities, biomass burning, and desert dust. The Egyptian government has initiated projects such as "Egypt's Vision 2030" to reduce air pollution and improve air quality monitoring. They are also creating eco-friendly industrial zones and promoting green spaces, such as the Green Belt project, to mitigate pollution and its health impacts on citizens.

Cairo's air pollution and climate change

Cairo, Egypt's capital city, has long struggled with air pollution, which has worsened in recent decades due to rapid urbanisation, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, and the use of cheaper fuels. With a population of over 20 million people, Cairo is one of Africa's biggest megacities and is the second fastest-growing city on the continent. The city's narrow streets and towering apartment blocks leave nowhere for the toxins to go, resulting in swirling dust that blankets the city and its iconic landmarks.

The primary source of air pollution in Cairo is road transport, which accounts for 33% of PM2.5 emissions. The city's extreme congestion is largely due to ageing private cars and taxis, with traffic volumes reaching up to 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane. Cairo's mass transit options are limited, and until recently, subsidies on gasoline and diesel created few incentives for people to switch to more efficient modes of transportation. The Egyptian government has started to address this problem by reducing fuel subsidies, but this has resulted in increased transport costs, disproportionately affecting low-income households.

Agricultural slash-and-burn practices account for the second-highest proportion of Cairo's PM2.5 emissions. This is driven by the growing demand for real estate on agricultural land in the surrounding Nile Valley, as well as the difficulty for farmers to dispose of rice crop waste. Despite a government ban, farmers often torch the straw, releasing toxic smoke that drifts down to Cairo, causing respiratory issues for residents.

Industrial pollution is another significant contributor to Cairo's air pollution. The city is surrounded by major polluters, including brickworks, iron and steel works, and chemical plants. Poor waste management, desert dust, biomass burning, and domestic and commercial combustion also contribute to the city's air pollution levels.

The Egyptian government, in collaboration with organisations like the World Bank and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has initiated projects to address air pollution and climate change. The Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project aims to reduce emissions from critical sectors, improve solid waste management, and strengthen air quality monitoring and decision-making. The government is also working to create eco-friendly industrial zones and promote non-motorised transportation.

Despite some improvements in air quality in recent years, Cairo still has a long way to go to provide its residents with clean air and mitigate the health risks associated with air pollution.

Health implications of Cairo's poor air quality

Cairo's poor air quality has had a significant impact on the health of its residents. The city's air pollution has been described as a "black cloud", with dust and toxins filling the air and coating the city's buildings and landmarks.

One of the most pressing health concerns is the rise in respiratory issues. The dense smog has left asthmatics as "prisoners in their own homes", and shopkeepers on busy streets feel like they are in a "perpetual battle to breathe". The air is filled with fine dust particles, which are the primary carrier of pollutants into the lungs. This has resulted in a surge of respiratory diseases, adding to the burden on the city's hospitals.

The burning of agricultural waste, particularly rice straw, has also been linked to chronic respiratory problems and cancer. The smoke from these fires, which can be seen from space, creates a toxic trail that blankets the city. The Egyptian government has attempted to address this issue by collecting straw and constructing recycling facilities, but the practice persists due to the lack of alternative disposal options for farmers.

In addition to respiratory issues, Cairo's air pollution has been linked to other health problems, including chest diseases, allergies, and cancer. The economic cost of air pollution in the Greater Cairo Region is significant, estimated at 1.4% of Egypt's GDP annually.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a temporary respite, with reduced emissions from vehicles and factories leading to a decrease in pollutants. However, as life returned to normal, congestion and unsafe waste disposal practices caused pollution levels to surge once again. The Egyptian government has recognized the urgency of the situation and is taking steps to address air pollution, including reducing fuel subsidies and creating eco-friendly industrial zones.

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