And then there is the most dangerous risk of all, the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.
Air pollution is a leading cause of death accounting for 46 per cent of deaths recorded in Kenya.
The Health Effects institute in its 2020 report of the State of Global Air also ranks lower respiratory illnesses, lung cancer and ischemic heart diseases as other major causes.
Experts now want air quality mainstreamed into public health efforts to enhance health data systems towards strategies to promote clean air.
Expectant mothers exposed to unhealthy air are more likely to give birth to preterm and low birth weight babies, while young children will experience decreased lung growth that leads to respiratory complications,
Dr Sammy Simiyu- Vital Strategies
The team of experts under the Clean Air Catalyst consortium say air pollution accounts for over 25,000 deaths in Kenya annually. The Global Air report show that chronic respiratory illness and cardiovascular diseases which are among the top 10 causes of death are linked to air pollution.
Accumulation of fine matter and nitrogen dioxide over time has devastating impact on health at all the different stages of life. “Expectant mothers exposed to unhealthy air are more likely to give birth to preterm and low birth weight babies, while young children will experience decreased lung growth that leads to respiratory complications,
Vital Strategies
The elderly, those with preexisting conditions are high risk groups to air pollution.
Air Pollution linked to leading cause of death by WHO
TRANSPORT: LEADING POLLUTANT
Dr Paul Njogu a researcher with the consortium says understanding the exposure pathways and reporting on them is critical in addressing air pollution.
As journalists tasked with setting the agenda, let us inform residents of the existence of these harmful matter in the air to help them take precaution,”
Dr Paul Njogu-Jomo Kenyatta University
He says the average city resident has high carbon footprints that come from high levels of combustion in their daily lives that include fuel used in the homes and motorised transport.
They were addressing a group of news editors representing various media houses in a training on reporting and mainstreaming coverage on air quality.
THE AIR QUALITYAPP
AIRQO App developed by the consortium under guidance from Makerere university monitors and tracks changes in air quality creating awareness on exposure levels.
With the App which offers hourly forecasts on air quality one is able to monitor what they inhale.
Nairobi County is developing regulations on the Nairobi air quality Act 2023 to give it the legal muscle to address rising pollution.
Maurice Kavai who works in the Climate Change directorate says the regulations will spur implementation of initiatives that target to protect the 6 million city residents from air pollution.
MITIGATION
TIPS TO MANAGE AIR POLLUTION
WEAR N95 MASK WHERE AIR QUALITY IS POOR (install air quality app from App Store/playstore on your mobile handset)
ADJUST OUTDOORS TIMING TO AVOID PEAK POLLUTION TIMES,AVOID AREAS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC OR KNOWN POLLUTION SOURCES
CAR POOL, SWITCH OFF CAR IN TRAFFIC CONGESTION AS OPPOSED TO IDLING THE ENGINE,USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT (ELECTRIC BUSES)
Pollution is majorly driven by emissions from automobiles and industries, and smoke
Clean Air Catalyst is a consortium that brings together USAID, World Resource Institute, Clean air toolbox for cities and others with the goal of mainstreaming action on the deteriorating air quality.
The initiative comes in the face of increased human economic activity from rapid urbanization that has seen an increase in pollutants specifically volatile organic compounds in Nairobi.
The World Health Organization WHO gives Nairobi a low rating on air quality at an annual average of PM2.5 which is poor according to its guideline levels.
AWARENESS
Internews Earth Journalism Network is building the capacity of journalists in Nairobi to understand issues around air quality and report on them.
It hopes to enhance access of air quality information at community level to empower communities embrace mitigation measures to protect their health.
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
6 million residents living in Nairobi exposed to air pollution
