By Chemtai Kirui
Kenya’s population is heavily exposed to air pollutants that exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits, according to a new study published in Lancet’s Planetary Health.
The study, which analyzed data from 175 countries over two decades, found that only 0.001% of the global population is safe from exposure to tiny air particles that are harmful to people’s health.
The World Health Organization recommends that particles should be smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5) and that nitrogen oxide should not be more than 10 micrograms per cubic meter. However, the study found an average of 32.8 micrograms per cubic meter of air, far above the recommended 5μg/m3. Sub-Saharan Africa recorded a relatively high PM2.5 between June and September last year.
Air pollution is recognized as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as asthma, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.
“Particulate matter in the air comprises sulfates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water, which enters our bodies through the blood or lungs,” the researchers explained.
“The study provides a deep understanding of the current state of outdoor air pollution and its impacts on human health. With this information, policymakers, public health officials, and researchers can better assess the short-term and long-term health effects of air pollution and develop air pollution mitigation strategies,” said the lead author of the study, Prof Yuming Guo.
In response to the significant health risks posed by air pollution, the Kenyan government is considering the introduction of a carbon tax. .The projections for Kenya’s greenhouse gas emissions between 2022 and 2030 are alarming, with estimates showing that they could reach up to 143 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The highest contributors to these emissions will come from electricity generation, agriculture, and transportation. To address this issue, the government is considering the introduction of a carbon tax to encourage the adoption of cleaner energy practices and reduce toxic emissions.
“We plan to explore the viability and design of a carbon tax because this will both cost-efficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions, health complications, and provide a revenue stream to help the government meet its broader financial objectives,” stated the policy document from the country’s finance ministry.
The government is exploring and developing a congestion charging scheme in major cities to protect the environment and generate revenue for greening the energy sector. The plan also includes a new tax for manufacturers whose production plants emit significant levels of carbon, aimed at incentivizing a clean energy transition.
The government’s plan to introduce a traffic congestion charge and carbon tax for manufacturers is part of its broader efforts to tackle air pollution and reduce carbon emissions. These measures are aimed at mitigating the impact of rising global concerns about climate change and reducing traffic congestion, which contributes to high levels of air pollution in major cities— a move that is in line with global efforts to combat climate change, with more than 40 governments around the world already implementing some form of carbon tax.
According to the Kenya Air Quality Index publication “The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for 19,000 deaths annually in Kenya, with 70% of pollution levels recorded in the capital city, Nairobi. Additionally, nine out of 10 people in Kenya’s major cities and key towns are exposed to air pollution beyond WHO’s recommended levels.”
The Lancet Planetary Health study highlights the urgent need for governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to take action to mitigate air pollution and protect public health.
The government’s efforts to introduce a carbon tax, congestion charge, and other measures are a step in the right direction towards improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
As the WHO warns, “air pollution is the second leading cause of deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), representing one of the most serious threats to global health.”