Air pollution caused one million deaths in Africa in 2019

According to a new report by health impact institute (HEI), almost the entire African continent faces some of the most serious health impacts in the world, due to air pollution, Experts found that Africa is home to five of the top ten most polluted countries in the world in terms of external fine particulate matter (PM)._2.5), which is the most consistent predictor of deaths from respiratory, cardiovascular and other diseases in previous studies of long-term exposure to air pollution. In addition, widespread exposure to household air pollution (HAP) – which results from burning solid fuels such as coal, wood, or charcoal for cooking – also has a significant impact on African mortality, causing 1.1 million pollution. 63 percent of related deaths occur. 2019

Since throughout East, West, Central and Southern Africa, about 75 percent of the population relies on solid fuels for cooking, residents are exposed to high concentrations of harmful pollutants at home every day. In these areas, newborns and infants are at particularly high risk from HAP, with 14 percent of all deaths among children under the age of five linked to exposure to such hazardous pollutants. In addition, children’s exposure to HAP as well as outdoor pollution has long-term consequences for their health, including problems with lung development and increased susceptibility to infectious respiratory diseases.

“This report provides evidence of a substantial risk of air pollution to the health and even life of children and children under the age of five. This vulnerable group needs special attention to reduce their exposure. What is needed is, for example, with practical solutions for mothers and caregivers through policy and intensive awareness campaigns,” said Caradi Wright, a chief specialist scientist. south african medical research council,

According to the report’s authors, the sources of air pollution and their health effects can vary widely across the continent. For example, West Africa has the highest PM . is experienced_2.5 Pollution – 64.1 μg/m . with an average concentration of³ – while the lowest in Southern Africa is 26.5 µg/m . Is³, Although much of this pollution comes from similar sources elsewhere in the world – such as energy production, industrial and semi-industrial activities, or the use of fossil fuels for transport – in some parts of Africa, wind-blown dust (air a natural source of pollution). PM. important contributor to increase_2.5 Level.

Fortunately, countries across Africa are currently implementing a wide range of programs to reduce the effects of air pollution, such as establishing national air quality policies, providing access to clean cooking fuels, and transition to energy sources.

“Air pollution contributes greatly to the increasing frequency of chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa, further straining the health system already exacerbated by chronic infectious diseases and, more recently, COVID-19. These findings call on the African Union and member states to promote, plan and fund air quality interventions to prevent unnecessary disabilities and deaths across the continent,” said Patrick de Marie Katoto, an expert in public health at the Catholic University of Bukavu. concluded the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Status of air quality and health impacts in Africa report can be found Here,

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By Andrei Ionescu, Earth.com staff Writer