Abera Kumie1, Alemayehu Worku1, Zelalem Tazu2, Worku Tefera1, Araya Asfaw3, Getu Boja1, Molla Mekashu1, Dawit Siraw1, Solomon Teferra4, Kristin Zacharias5, Jonathan Patz6, Jonathan Samet7, Kiros Berhane8. 1. School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2. Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 3. Department of Physics , College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 4. EPA South Coast Air Quality Management District (USA), Los Angeles, California. 5. University of Southern California (USA), Los Angeles, California. 6. Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-(USA), Wisconsin, Madison. 7. School of Public Health, University of Colorado (USA), Denver, Colorado. 8. Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University (USA), New York City, New York.
Abstract
Real-time monitoring of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and assessing the health impact are limited in Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to describe current levels of PM2.5 air pollution in Addis Ababa and examine temporal patterns and to consider the health impact of current PM2.5 exposure levels. METHODS: PM2.5 concentrations were measured using a centrally-located Beta Attenuator Monitor (BAM-1022) for 3 years (1 April 2017 to 31 March 2020), with data downloaded biweekly. Deaths attributable to current PM2.5 concentration levels were estimated using the AirQ+ tool. The daily average was estimated using hourly data. RESULTS: The daily mean (SD) PM2.5 concentration was 42.4 µg/m3 (15.98). Two daily extremes were observed: morning (high) and afternoon (low). Sundays had the lowest PM2.5 concentration, while Mondays to Thursdays saw a continuous increase; Fridays showed the highest concentration. Seasons showed marked variation, with the highest values during the wet season. Concentration spikes reflected periods of intensive fuel combustion. A total of 502 deaths (4.44%) were attributable to current air pollution levels referenced to the 35 µg/m3 WHO interim target annual level and 2,043 (17.7%) at the WHO 10 µg/m3 annual guideline. CONCLUSION: PM2.5 daily levels were 1.7 times higher than the WHO-recommended 24-hour guideline. The current annual mean PM2.5 concentration results in a substantial burden of attributable deaths compared to an annual mean of 10 µg/m3. The high PM2.5 level and its variability across days and seasons calls for citywide interventions to promote clean air.
Real-time monitoring of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and assessing the health impact are limited in Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to describe current levels of PM2.5 air pollution in Addis Ababa and examine temporal patterns and to consider the health impact of current PM2.5 exposure levels. METHODS: PM2.5 concentrations were measured using a centrally-located Beta Attenuator Monitor (BAM-1022) for 3 years (1 April 2017 to 31 March 2020), with data downloaded biweekly. Deaths attributable to current PM2.5 concentration levels were estimated using the AirQ+ tool. The daily average was estimated using hourly data. RESULTS: The daily mean (SD) PM2.5 concentration was 42.4 µg/m3 (15.98). Two daily extremes were observed: morning (high) and afternoon (low). Sundays had the lowest PM2.5 concentration, while Mondays to Thursdays saw a continuous increase; Fridays showed the highest concentration. Seasons showed marked variation, with the highest values during the wet season. Concentration spikes reflected periods of intensive fuel combustion. A total of 502 deaths (4.44%) were attributable to current air pollution levels referenced to the 35 µg/m3 WHO interim target annual level and 2,043 (17.7%) at the WHO 10 µg/m3 annual guideline. CONCLUSION: PM2.5 daily levels were 1.7 times higher than the WHO-recommended 24-hour guideline. The current annual mean PM2.5 concentration results in a substantial burden of attributable deaths compared to an annual mean of 10 µg/m3. The high PM2.5 level and its variability across days and seasons calls for citywide interventions to promote clean air.
Authors: Philip J Landrigan; Richard Fuller; Nereus J R Acosta; Olusoji Adeyi; Robert Arnold; Niladri Nil Basu; Abdoulaye Bibi Baldé; Roberto Bertollini; Stephan Bose-O'Reilly; Jo Ivey Boufford; Patrick N Breysse; Thomas Chiles; Chulabhorn Mahidol; Awa M Coll-Seck; Maureen L Cropper; Julius Fobil; Valentin Fuster; Michael Greenstone; Andy Haines; David Hanrahan; David Hunter; Mukesh Khare; Alan Krupnick; Bruce Lanphear; Bindu Lohani; Keith Martin; Karen V Mathiasen; Maureen A McTeer; Christopher J L Murray; Johanita D Ndahimananjara; Frederica Perera; Janez Potočnik; Alexander S Preker; Jairam Ramesh; Johan Rockström; Carlos Salinas; Leona D Samson; Karti Sandilya; Peter D Sly; Kirk R Smith; Achim Steiner; Richard B Stewart; William A Suk; Onno C P van Schayck; Gautam N Yadama; Kandeh Yumkella; Ma Zhong Journal: Lancet Date: 2017-10-19 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Worku Tefera; Abera Kumie; Kiros Berhane; Frank Gilliland; Alexandra Lai; Piyaporn Sricharoenvech; Jonathan Patz; Jonathan Samet; James J Schauer Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-04 Impact factor: 4.614