Air Pollution In Cameroon: Why It's A Growing Concern

Cameroon's air quality is considered unsafe by the World Health Organization, with a mean concentration of PM2.5 at 73 µg/m3, far exceeding the recommended maximum of 10 µg/m3. The capital city of Yaoundé, which is home to around 3.8 million people, is a major contributor to the country's poor air quality. The city's rapid economic growth, particularly in the informal sector, has led to increased pollution from traffic, industrial activities, and household fuel use. The effects of air pollution on public health are significant, with short-term symptoms including respiratory issues and long-term consequences such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Oil, gas, and aluminium production

The oil and gas industry's activities, including production, refining, and imports, contribute to air pollution. For example, the Oyomabang thermal plant in Yaoundé, which provides power to the city, has recently shifted to using heavy fuel oil, resulting in higher pollution levels. The capital city, Yaoundé, is particularly affected by air pollution due to its rapid service sector growth and the dominance of small-scale food production, ad-hoc construction, and product processing in its informal economy.

Gas is also used for household cooking and heating, representing the second-largest source of air pollution in Yaoundé. Within lower-income households, approximately 90% rely on firewood, which generates significant household air pollution. The use of biomass fuels, such as firewood and charcoal, contributes to both indoor and outdoor air pollution, impacting the health of residents, especially women, who make up 94% of traders in the markets where biomass fuels are commonly used.

In addition to oil and gas, aluminium production also contributes to air pollution in Cameroon. Aluminium is a widely used material in various products, from packaging to aviation vehicles. The production process requires energy and raw materials, impacting the environment. Cameroon's air pollution results from a combination of industrial activities, including power plants, cement production, breweries, sawmills, paper mills, and vehicle emissions. The lack of comprehensive air quality plans and enforcement mechanisms, especially in industrial regulation, has hindered effective air pollution control in the country.

Vehicle emissions

The high rate of imported second-hand vehicles in Yaoundé contributes to the problem, as these vehicles are often cheaper to import than new ones but do not meet emission standards. In addition, the lack of public investment in accessible public transport has limited the use of buses and minibuses for intra-city travel, with private cars accounting for only 10% of journeys. This has resulted in a situation where residents are forced to rely on more expensive and polluting forms of transport, contributing to the high levels of vehicle emissions and air pollution in the city.

While some actions have been taken to address air pollution in Cameroon, such as the development of a National Climate Change Policy that emphasises the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of sustainable energy practices, there is still a lack of comprehensive air quality plans and policies. Yaoundé has begun to take action, with partnerships such as My Urban City, a collaboration between DVDH and ATMOTrack, launching a pollution control report with key recommendations across road transport, including improving the vehicle fleet and fuel quality. However, limited coordination across government and sectors hinders effective air pollution action, and there is a need to scale individual interventions to city-wide action.

The effects of air pollution in Cameroon are severe, with exposure to outdoor particulate matter (PM2.5) and household air pollution (HAP) linked to increased hospitalizations, disability, and early death from respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and even diabetes. In 2019, approximately 3,300 premature deaths in Yaoundé were attributable to air pollution, and it is estimated that 92% of the global population is exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. It is crucial that Cameroon continues to take action to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality to protect the health and well-being of its residents.

Waste burning

The burning of waste, including plastic, is a major source of air pollution in Cameroon. This is compounded by the burning of wood and other biomass for cooking and heating, which is the second-largest source of air pollution in Yaoundé, the country's capital and second-largest city. Within lower-income households, approximately 90% rely on firewood for cooking and heating, generating significant quantities of household air pollution (HAP). This form of pollution is particularly harmful to women, who make up 94% of traders in markets where biomass fuels are commonly used.

In addition to household waste burning, the open burning of waste in markets is also a concern. For example, in the Mokolo market in Yaoundé, fish is traditionally smoked using sawdust in the open air, contributing to air pollution in the city. The lack of access to cleaner fuel sources, such as cooking gas, due to high upfront costs, further exacerbates the problem.

The health impacts of waste burning and air pollution in Cameroon are significant. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to increased hospitalizations, disability, and early death from respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and diabetes. In 2017, indoor pollution accounted for 50% of all deaths in Cameroon attributable to air pollution, with approximately 7,000 deaths associated with household air pollution annually. The odds of pollution-related health risks are disproportionately borne by women and children, who typically spend the most time at home and in kitchens.

To address the issue of waste burning and air pollution in Cameroon, the country has developed a National Climate Change Policy that emphasizes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainable energy practices. However, specific air quality plans and policies are yet to be developed and implemented effectively. There is a need for comprehensive coordination across various sectors and stakeholders, as well as the scaling of pilot projects, to achieve citywide and nationwide coverage of clean air interventions. Behavioral change campaigns are also necessary to educate the public about the impacts of air pollution and promote sustainable waste management practices.

Household cooking and heating

Household air pollution (HAP) is a recognised risk factor for many diseases, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cataracts. In Cameroon, HAP is known to have caused an estimated 11,400 premature deaths, with one of the highest contributors being biomass fuels for cooking and space heating. Biomass fuels, including wood, charcoal, sawdust, and kerosene, are commonly used for household cooking and heating in Cameroon, particularly in rural areas.

A study conducted in the Dschang Health District (DHD) region of Cameroon found that 77% of households reported exclusive use of firewood for cooking, with rural communities relying more heavily on firewood (94%) compared to peri-urban communities (38%). Similarly, in Yaoundé, Cameroon's capital, biomass fuels for cooking and heating account for 19% of PM2.5 concentrations, with approximately 90% of lower-income households relying on firewood.

The choice of fuel type is influenced by factors such as price and availability, with solid fuels being more affordable and accessible for low-income households. However, the use of polluting fuels and stoves for cooking contributes significantly to HAP, exposing individuals to high levels of indoor air pollution. This is particularly detrimental to women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores and spend more time exposed to harmful smoke.

To address HAP, there have been efforts to encourage the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In 2019, the Yaoundé municipality launched nine micro biogas plants to meet the cooking energy demands of low-income households, with plans to triple LPG use by 2030. However, the transition to cleaner fuels is limited by factors such as supply constraints and the high upfront cost of purchasing stoves.

While the use of cleaner cooking fuels can reduce indoor air pollution, it may not significantly impact overall PM2.5 levels in homes located in areas with high outdoor air pollution. Therefore, a comprehensive approach targeting both indoor and outdoor pollution sources is necessary to effectively reduce air pollution and protect the health of Cameroonians.

Lack of government coordination

Cameroon's capital, Yaoundé, is facing severe air pollution, which can be attributed to a lack of government coordination. The city, home to around 3.8 million people, has seen rapid growth in its service sector, with a substantial role played by the informal economy. This includes small-scale food production, ad-hoc construction, and product processing, often lacking proper regulations and contributing to air pollution.

The government's limited coordination and enforcement mechanisms are hindering effective action against air pollution. While Cameroon has a National Climate Change Policy promoting sustainable energy, specific air quality plans and policies are lacking. Yaoundé, in particular, requires better coordination across sectors and stakeholders to address the issue comprehensively.

The absence of air quality plans and enforcement, especially in industrial regulation, is a significant concern. Individual interventions targeting specific pollution sources, such as external partners funding proof-of-concept projects, are being implemented. However, there is a need to scale these initiatives to a city-wide level for greater impact.

Road traffic is the largest source of air pollution in Yaoundé, with outdated and polluting technologies and low-quality fuels contributing to about 48% of PM2.5 emissions. Biomass fuels used for household cooking and heating are the second-largest source, with approximately 90% of lower-income households relying on firewood, generating significant household air pollution (HAP). This has severe health impacts, with indoor pollution causing about 50% of air pollution-related deaths in Cameroon in 2017.

To address the lack of government coordination, Yaoundé needs to implement city-wide strategies, including comprehensive coordination across sectors and stakeholders. Scaling up pilot projects and behavioural change campaigns can educate the public about the detrimental health, economic, and environmental consequences of air pollution. By taking these steps, Yaoundé can work towards reducing the harmful effects of air pollution on its residents.

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