1
|
Anand A, Touré N, Bahino J, Gnamien S, Hughes AF, Arku RE, Tawiah VO, Asfaw A, Mamo T, Hasheminassab S, Bililign S, Moschos V, Westervelt DM, Presto AA. Low-Cost Hourly Ambient Black Carbon Measurements at Multiple Cities in Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12575-12584. [PMID: 38952258 PMCID: PMC11256757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
There is a notable lack of continuous monitoring of air pollutants in the Global South, especially for measuring chemical composition, due to the high cost of regulatory monitors. Using our previously developed low-cost method to quantify black carbon (BC) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by analyzing reflected red light from ambient particle deposits on glass fiber filters, we estimated hourly ambient BC concentrations with filter tapes from beta attenuation monitors (BAMs). BC measurements obtained through this method were validated against a reference aethalometer between August 2 and 23, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, demonstrating a very strong agreement (R2 = 0.95 and slope = 0.97). We present hourly BC for three cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and one in North America: Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Pittsburgh (USA). The average BC concentrations for the measurement period at the Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa Central summer, Addis Ababa Central winter, Addis Ababa Jacros winter, and Pittsburgh sites were 3.85 μg/m3, 5.33 μg/m3, 5.63 μg/m3, 3.89 μg/m3, 9.14 μg/m3, and 0.52 μg/m3, respectively. BC made up 14-20% of PM2.5 mass in the SSA cities compared to only 5.6% in Pittsburgh. The hourly BC data at all sites (SSA and North America) show a pronounced diurnal pattern with prominent peaks during the morning and evening rush hours on workdays. A comparison between our measurements and the Goddard Earth Observing System Composition Forecast (GEOS-CF) estimates shows that the model performs well in predicting PM2.5 for most sites but struggles to predict BC at an hourly resolution. Adding more ground measurements could help evaluate and improve the performance of chemical transport models. Our method can potentially use existing BAM networks, such as BAMs at U.S. Embassies around the globe, to measure hourly BC concentrations. The PM2.5 composition data, thus acquired, can be crucial in identifying emission sources and help in effective policymaking in SSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Anand
- Center
for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Carnegie
Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | | | - Julien Bahino
- Université
Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan 00225, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Sylvain Gnamien
- Université
Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan 00225, Côte d’Ivoire
| | | | - Raphael E Arku
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Victoria Owusu Tawiah
- Department
of Meteorology & Climate Science, Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
| | - Araya Asfaw
- Institute
of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy, Addis Ababa University, Addis
Ababa 1176, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Mamo
- Institute
of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy, Addis Ababa University, Addis
Ababa 1176, Ethiopia
| | - Sina Hasheminassab
- Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute
of Technology institution, Pasadena, California 91011, United States
| | - Solomon Bililign
- Department
of Physics, North Carolina A&T State
University, Greensboro, North Carolina 27411, United States
| | - Vaios Moschos
- Department
of Physics, North Carolina A&T State
University, Greensboro, North Carolina 27411, United States
| | - Daniel M. Westervelt
- Lamont
Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, New York, New York 10964, United States
| | - Albert A. Presto
- Center
for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Carnegie
Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Oguge O, Nyamondo J, Adera N, Okolla L, Okoth B, Anyango S, Afulo A, Kumie A, Samet J, Berhane K. Fine particulate matter air pollution and health implications for Nairobi, Kenya. Environ Epidemiol 2024; 8:e307. [PMID: 38799266 PMCID: PMC11115977 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Continuous ambient air quality monitoring in Kenya has been limited, resulting in a sparse data base on the health impacts of air pollution for the country. We have operated a centrally located monitor in Nairobi for measuring fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the pollutant that has demonstrated impact on health. Here, we describe the temporal levels and trends in PM2.5 data for Nairobi and evaluate associated health implications. Methods We used a centrally located reference sensor, the beta attenuation monitor (BAM-1022), to measure hourly PM2.5 concentrations over a 3-year period (21 August 2019 to 20 August 2022). We used, at minimum, 75% of the daily hourly concentration to represent the 24-hour concentrations for a given calendar day. To estimate the deaths attributable to air pollution, we used the World Health Organization (WHO) AirQ+ tool with input as PM2.5 concentration data, local mortality statistics, and population sizes. Results The daily (24-hour) mean (±SEM) PM2.5 concentration was 19. 2 ± 0.6 (µg/m3). Pollutant levels were lowest at 03:00 and, peaked at 20:00. Sundays had the lowest daily concentrations, which increased on Mondays and remained high through Saturdays. By season, the pollutant concentrations were lowest in April and highest in August. The mean annual concentration was 18.4 ± 7.1 (µg/m3), which was estimated to lead to between 400 and 1,400 premature deaths of the city's population in 2021 hence contributing 5%-8% of the 17,432 adult deaths excluding accidents when referenced to WHO recommended 2021 air quality guideline for annual thresholds of 5 µg/m3. Conclusion Fine particulate matter air pollution in Nairobi showed daily, day-of-week, and seasonal fluctuations consistent with the anthropogenic source mix, particularly from motor vehicles. The long-term population exposure to PM2.5 was 3.7 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3 and estimated to lead to a substantial burden of attributable deaths. An updated regulation targeting measures to reduce vehicular emissions is recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Otienoh Oguge
- Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Nyamondo
- Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Noah Adera
- Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lydia Okolla
- Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Beldine Okoth
- Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stephen Anyango
- Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub, Centre for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Abera Kumie
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Kiros Berhane
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Onyango S, North CM, Ellaithy HA, Tumwesigye P, Kang CM, Matthaios V, Mukama M, Nambogo N, Wolfson JM, Ferguson S, Asiimwe S, Atuyambe L, Santorino D, Christiani DC, Koutrakis P. Ambient PM 2.5 temporal variation and source apportionment in Mbarara, Uganda. AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH 2024; 24:230203. [PMID: 38947180 PMCID: PMC11212479 DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.230203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution is the leading environmental cause of death globally, and most mortality occurs in resource-limited settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. The African continent experiences some of the worst ambient air pollution in the world, yet there are relatively little African data characterizing ambient pollutant levels and source admixtures. In Uganda, ambient PM2.5 levels exceed international health standards. However, most studies focus only on urban environments and do not characterize pollutant sources. We measured daily ambient PM2.5 concentrations and sources in Mbarara, Uganda from May 2018 through February 2019 using Harvard impactors fitted with size-selective inlets. We compared our estimates to publicly available levels in Kampala, and to World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. We characterized the leading PM2.5 sources in Mbarara using x-ray fluorescence and positive matrix factorization. Daily PM2.5 concentrations were 26.7 μg m-3 and 59.4 μg m-3 in Mbarara and Kampala, respectively (p<0.001). PM2.5 concentrations exceeded WHO guidelines on 58% of days in Mbarara and 99% of days in Kampala. In Mbarara, PM2.5 was higher in the dry as compared to the rainy season (30.8 vs 21.3, p<0.001), while seasonal variation was not observed in Kampala. PM2.5 concentrations did not vary on weekdays versus weekends in either city. In Mbarara, the six main ambient PM2.5 sources identified included (in order of abundance): traffic-related, biomass and secondary aerosols, industry and metallurgy, heavy oil and fuel combustion, fine soil, and salt aerosol. Our findings confirm that air quality in southwestern Uganda is unsafe and that mitigation efforts are urgently needed. Ongoing work focused on improving air quality in the region may have the greatest impact if focused on traffic and biomass-related sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silver Onyango
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Crystal M. North
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Choong-Min Kang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Vasileios Matthaios
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- School of Geography Earth and Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Martin Mukama
- Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies, Uganda
| | | | - J. Mikhail Wolfson
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Stephen Ferguson
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Stephen Asiimwe
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Data Santorino
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies, Uganda
| | - David C. Christiani
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shiferaw AB, Kumie A, Tefera W. Fine particulate matter air pollution and the mortality of children under five: a multilevel analysis of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey of 2016. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1090405. [PMID: 37325299 PMCID: PMC10267360 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1090405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Every year, polluted air is costing the globe 543,000 deaths of children under five. The particulate matter below 2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) is a part of air pollution that has adverse effects on children's health. In Ethiopia, the effect of ambient PM2.5 is least explored. This study aimed to assess the association between PM2.5 and under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Methods The study used the data from the Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys conducted in 2016, collected between January 18 and June 27. All children under five who had data on child mortality and location coordinates were included in the study. Exposure to ambient PM2.5 concentration was a satellite-based estimate by the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group at Washington and Dalhousie University, in the United States and Canada, respectively. Annual mean pollution levels and mortality datasets were matched by children's geographical location and dates of birth, death, and interview. The relationship between ambient PM2.5 and under-five mortality was determined by a multilevel multivariable logistic regression on R software. The statistical analyses were two-sided at a 95% confidence interval. Results The study addressed 10,452 children with the proportion of under-five mortality being 5.4% (95% CI 5.0-6.8%). The estimated lifetime annual mean exposure of ambient total PM2.5 was 20.1 ± 3.3 μgm-3. A 10-unit increase in the lifetime annual mean ambient total PM2.5 was associated with 2.29 [95% CI 1.44, 3.65] times more odds of under-five mortality after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion Children under five are exposed to higher levels of ambient PM2.5 concentration, exceeding the limit set by the World Health Organization. Ambient PM2.5 is significantly associated with under-five mortality, adjusting for other variables. Strong measures need to be taken to reduce air pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashenafie Bereded Shiferaw
- Department of Social and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Abera Kumie
- Department of Environmental and Behavioral Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Worku Tefera
- Department of Environmental and Behavioral Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nan N, Yan Z, Zhang Y, Chen R, Qin G, Sang N. Overview of PM 2.5 and health outcomes: Focusing on components, sources, and pollutant mixture co-exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 323:138181. [PMID: 36806809 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 varies in source and composition over time and space as a complicated mixture. Consequently, the health effects caused by PM2.5 varies significantly over time and generally exhibit significant regional variations. According to numerous studies, a notable relationship exists between PM2.5 and the occurrence of many diseases, such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system diseases, as well as cancer. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the effect of PM2.5 on human health is critical. The toxic effects of various PM2.5 components, as well as the overall toxicity of PM2.5 are discussed in this review to provide a foundation for precise PM2.5 emission control. Furthermore, this review summarizes the synergistic effect of PM2.5 and other pollutants, which can be used to draft effective policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Nan
- College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, PR China
| | - Zhipeng Yan
- College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, PR China
| | - Yaru Zhang
- College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, PR China
| | - Rui Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, PR China; Beijing City University, Beijing, 11418, PR China.
| | - Guohua Qin
- College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, PR China.
| | - Nan Sang
- College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, PR China
| |
Collapse
|