Measuring exposure levels of inhalable airborne particles (PM2.5) in two socially deprived areas of Nairobi, Kenya

Thaddaeus Egondi; Kanyiva Muindi; Catherine Kyobutungi; Michael Gatari; Joacim Rocklöv

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.018

Measuring exposure levels of inhalable airborne particles (PM2.5) in two socially deprived areas of Nairobi, Kenya

Environ Res. 2016 Jul:148:500-506. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.018. Epub 2016 May 3.

Authors

Thaddaeus Egondi¹, Kanyiva Muindi², Catherine Kyobutungi³, Michael Gatari⁴, Joacim Rocklöv⁵

Affiliations

¹ African Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: tegondi@gmail.com.
² African Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: kmuindi@aphrc.org.
³ African Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. Electronic address: ckyobutungi@aphrc.org.
⁴ Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, College of Architecture & Engineering, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. Electronic address: gatarimj@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: joacim.rocklov@umu.se.

PMID: 27152713
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.018

Abstract

Introduction: Ambient air pollution is a growing global health concern tightly connected to the rapid global urbanization. Health impacts from outdoor air pollution exposure amounts to high burdens of deaths and disease worldwide. However, the lack of systematic collection of air pollution and health data in many low-and middle-income countries remains a challenge for epidemiological studies in the local environment. This study aimed to provide a description of the particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in the poorest urban residential areas of Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: Real-time measurements of (PM2.5) were conducted in two urban informal settlements of Nairobi City, Kenya"s Capital, from February 2013 to October 2013. The measurements were conducted using DustTrak II 8532 hand-held samplers at a height of about 1.5m above ground level with a resolution of 1-min logging. Sampling took place from early morning to evenings according to a fixed route of measurement within areas including fixed geographical checkpoints.

Results: The study period average concentration of PM2.5 was 166μg/m(3) in the Korogocho area and 67μg/m(3) in the Viwandani area. The PM2.5 levels in both areas reached bimodal daily peaks in the morning and evening. The average peak value of morning concentration in Korogocho was 214μg/m(3), and 164μg/m(3) in the evening and in Viwandani was 76μg/m(3) and 82μg/m(3) respectively. The daily mid-day average low observed during was 146μg/m(3) in Korogocho and 59μg/m(3) in Viwandani.

Conclusion: The results show that residents in both slums are continuously exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding hazardous levels according to World Health Organization guidelines. The study showed a marked disparity between the two slum areas situated only 7km apart indicating the local situation and sources to be very important for exposure to PM2.5.

Keywords: Air pollution; Assessment; Exposure; Low- and middle-income country; PM(2.5); Particulate matter; Slum; Urban pollution.

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants / analysis*
Cities
Environmental Monitoring
Kenya
Particulate Matter / analysis*
Poverty Areas

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter