Particulate Matter from Motor Vehicles in Nairobi Road Junctions Kenya (original) (raw)
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Clean air is important for human health and well-being, air pollution has increased in many parts worldwide and thus posing a significant threat people's health. In Kenya, the traffic police officers who constantly un covered stand on road junctions continuously expose themselves to motor vehicle emissions, greatly risking their health. This study collected qualitative data and quantitative data analysed police person's perceptions of the health impact of motor vehicle emissions on traffic police in Nairobi, Kenya. The respondents were sampled from among the traffic police officers who normally control traffic in Nairobi CBD. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect data. The study showed that police officers were aware of the effects that the motor vehicle air pollution could have on their health. About 98.1% of respondents indicated that they are affected by motor vehicle pollution. On average, about 30% of the police officers are off duty due to sickness while 82.2% had been greatly affected by exposure to motor vehicle pollution. 58.9% new cases of the health effects related to motor vehicle emission constant though majority did not take any measures. They obtained this knowledge and experience from their colleagues suffering from respiratory diseases; reporting frequent occurrence of health problems thought to arise acquaintance to motor vehicle emissions. The study accomplishes that there is an association between the amounts spent manning traffic and contact to high levels of pollution. The traffic officers have associated illnesses such as respiratory problems, asthma, cancer and other diseases that are pollution related to the high emissions of motor vehicle pollution in the Central business district.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2016
Every person in Kenya is entitled to a clean and healthy environment. This includes the access to the various public elements or segments of the environment for recreational, educational, health, spiritual and cultural purposes. As a practice, the traffic police officers (TPO’s) spend most of their time on the road controlling traffic a routine that exposes them to automobile emissions. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the levels of exposure to automobile emissions and to determine the health effects of exposure. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) from vehicles in the Central Business District in Nairobi were sampled. A gas aspiration pump AP-20 together with detector tubes were used to determine the levels of NOx, CO emissions while Testo 435 multi-function measuring instrument was used to determine CO 2 levels, wind velocity and temperature at ten purposely selected sites within the Central Business District....
Traffic impacts on PM 2.5 air quality in Nairobi, Kenya
Environmental Science & Policy, 2011
Motor vehicle traffic is an important source of particulate pollution in cities of the developing world, where rapid growth, coupled with a lack of effective transport and land use planning, may result in harmful levels of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air. However, a lack of air monitoring data hinders health impact assessments and the development of transportation and land use policies that could reduce health burdens due to outdoor air pollution. To address this important need, a study of traffic-related PM2.5 was carried out in the city of Nairobi, Kenya, a model city for sub-Saharan Africa, in July 2009. Sampling was carried out using portable filter-based air samplers carried in backpacks by technicians on weekdays over two weeks at several sites in and around Nairobi ranging from high-traffic roadways to rural background. Mean daytime concentrations of PM2.5 ranged from 10.7 at the rural background site to 98.1 μg/m3 on a sidewalk in the central business district. Horizontal dispersion measurements demonstrated a decrease in PM2.5 concentration from 128.7 to 18.7 μg/m3 over 100 m downwind of a major intersection in Nairobi. A vertical dispersion experiment revealed a decrease from 119.5 μg/m3 at street level to 42.8 μg/m3 on a third-floor rooftop in the central business district. Though not directly comparable to air quality guidelines, which are based on 24-h or annual averages, the urban concentrations we observed raise concern with regard to public health and related policy. Taken together with survey data on commuting patterns within Nairobi, these results suggest that many Nairobi residents are exposed on a regular basis to elevated concentrations of fine particle air pollution, with potentially serious long-term implications for health.► We conducted air quality monitoring to study traffic-related PM2.5 in Nairobi, Kenya. ► Observed PM2.5 concentrations raise public health and transport policy concerns. ► Roadside PM2.5 concentrations were higher than non-roadside concentrations. ► Horizontal and vertical dispersion sites revealed sharp drops in PM2.5 concentrations.
Particulate matter from road traffic in Africa
2017
In general, much of the air pollution that has adverse impacts on human health and the environment today is the result of anthropogenic activities. Road traffic has led to increase in many air pollutants to levels around the world. It is considered as one of an important source of particulate matter in Africa. Information on PM concentrations and impacts on human health in most African countries are poorly documented, lack of air monitoring network and insufficient number of air quality related researchers may be the reason for the lack of such studies. A few studies realized in African cities indicate an increasing number of exceedances of WHO guidelines for health related to road traffic. The transport sector has been expanding rapidly. Generally, car fleets are older and poorly maintained, high number of diesel-powered vehicles and all vehicles use low quality fuels with high lead and Sulphur, which add to traffic-related air pollution. The objective of this overview aims at desc...
People's knowledge of awareness, attitudes and practices towards motor vehicle emissions that are dangerous and a requirement is paramount for reducing exposure among people, their impact and response of interventions that are aimed at encouraging behavioral change. This study evaluated the knowledge, awareness, attitude and practice on motor vehicle pollution among the traffic police officers in Nairobi city. The study was directed by the following the objectives: To appreciate the level of knowledge among the traffic police officers about and attitudes towards motor vehicle air pollution and associated health effects. The survey interviewed a purposive and non-random stratified sample of 127 police officers, according to their seniority, years of employment and work experience, from the target population of traffic police working in major road junctions within the CBD, Nairobi Kenya. The sampled junctions were Kamukunji, Railways terminal, University way and Uhuru Highway roundabouts. In addition, from the leadership rank, five (5) key informants were also interviewed. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Discussions were held with the key informers. The study found that majority 40.2% said that they had a good knowledge of the issue. 96.3% indicated they had Knowledge of the laws on traffic related pollution and traffic regulations training. 98.1% had attended a traffic management course. 76.6% indicated that they had usefulness of motor vehicle air pollution information. The study concludes that motor vehicle air pollution affects the day to day operation of the officers; especially those working in the traffic department.
Personal exposures to particulate matter in various modes of transport in Lagos city, Nigeria
Cogent Environmental Science, 2016
Urban air pollution continues to be a major problem in Nigerian cities. Most studies of air pollution in Nigeria have concentrated on the background air quality and its effects on people outside vehicles. However, it has been suggested that in-vehicle pollution is often worse than pollution outside the vehicle. This study focuses on personal exposures to PM 10 and PM 2.5 in various modes of transportation in Lagos city. Six roadways which are representative of commercial, industrial, and residential areas of the city were selected. Measurements were made inside four major modes of transportation in the city: cars, buses, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and walking for PM 10 and PM 2.5. Measurements were done for each mode twice a day (morning and afternoon) for 12 days. The highest average PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations were measured for pedestrian (476.35 and 216.60 μg/m 3 , respectively) during rush hours. The result showed that pedestrians were found to be exposed to the highest average PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations, while commuters in cars, BRT and buses were exposed to respective decreasing concentrations of PM 10. Similarly, commuters in BRT were exposed to the lowest concentrations of PM 2.5 regardless of time of day. The results obtained were much higher than the results for London but comparable to Mexico city and Taiwan's results. This study has provided information that can help commuters to choose appropriate travel behavior that can minimize their exposure to particulate matter.
Kesmas: National Public Health Journal, 2019
Particulate matter (PM) is an air pollutant that has an impact on public health, especially in an urban area. The objective of this study was to analyze the personal concentration of PM2.5 and its composition among police working in the roadside area in Jakarta. PM measurement has done to the policeman that controlled traffic on four near highway locations in Jakarta. Sioutas impactor, Leland Legacy personal pump, and quartz fiber filter were chosen to measure the fine particles. Each PM was measured for 8-hour period. PM concentration was analyzed by the gravimetric method while tracing element and black carbon in PM0.25 by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and EEL Smoke Stain Reflectometer. As a result, near highway PM2.5 concentration in Jakarta during weekdays and weekends measurement are 92.18 ± 10.66 μg/m3, and 78.09 ± 11.61 μg/m3. S, K, Fe, Ca, Zn, and Pb are major elements found in all locations. The black carbon concentration in all location was 17 ± 5.7 μg/m3. A...
Atmospheric Environment, 2017
This study aims to determine the seasonal variations and composition of suspended particulate matter in different sizes PM 1.0 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 and the total suspended particles (TSP) emitted at major intra-urban traffic intersections (TIs) of Ilorin metropolis. The concentration levels of PM (PM 1.0 , PM 2.5 , PM 10) obtained at the TIs during the rush hours (45.1, 77.9, and 513µg/m 3) are higher than the levels obtained for the non-rush hour periods (42.3, 62.7, and 390 µg/m 3). The average on-road respiratory deposition dose (RDD) rates of PM 1.0 , PM 2.5 and PM 10 during the dry period at TIs types was found to be about 24%, 9% and 25% higher than those obtained during the wet period. Based on EF values calculated, Pb and Zn were anthropogenically-derived while Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu and Mg were of crustal source. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been applied to a set of PM data in order to determine the contribution of different sources. It was found that the main principal factors extracted from particulate emission data were related to exhaust and non-exhaust emissions such as tyre wears, oil and fuel combustion sources.
Contribution of vehicular traffic towards the particulate emission and its effects on human health
Vehicular traffic pollution, 2018
Particulate matter is small and medium solid and liquid particles which are present in the atmosphere. Vehicular traffic is one of the main contributors of particulate pollution in urban areas. The concentration of vehicular particulate pollution in atmosphere depends upon traffic intensity, time of the day, type of vehicles plying on roads and meteorology. The increase in particulate matter at alarming rate in Bhopal is a topic of measure concern. Congested roads, road side constructions and burning of fuel wood are contributing at high rates to the particulate matter. Both RSPM and SPM have risen to very high levels. Present study reveals that particulate matter during most of the months crossed the safe limits as per CPCB (2009). Current study was carried out at a busy crossing in old congested area of Bhopal township where there is close proximity of residential area besides heavy traffic load. People have been found to suffer from coughing, sneezing, phlegm, wheezing, breathlessness, irritation in eyes, heart problems, hypertension, skin allergy, head ache and nausea.