| 1. |
- Abera, Asmamaw, et al.
(författare)
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Air pollution measurements and land-use regression in urban sub-saharan Africa using low-cost sensors—possibilities and pitfalls
- 2020
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Ingår i: Atmosphere. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4433. ; 11:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air pollution is recognized as the most important environmental factor that adversely affects human and societal wellbeing. Due to rapid urbanization, air pollution levels are increasing in the Sub-Saharan region, but there is a shortage of air pollution monitoring. Hence, exposure data to use as a base for exposure modelling and health effect assessments is also lacking. In this study, low-cost sensors were used to assess PM2.5 (particulate matter) levels in the city of Adama, Ethiopia. The measurements were conducted during two separate 1-week periods. The measurements were used to develop a land-use regression (LUR) model. The developed LUR model explained 33.4% of the variance in the concentrations of PM2.5. Two predictor variables were included in the final model, of which both were related to emissions from traffic sources. Some concern regarding influential observations remained in the final model. Long-term PM2.5 and wind direction data were obtained from the city’s meteorological station, which should be used to validate the representativeness of our sensor measurements. The PM2.5 long-term data were however not reliable. Means of obtaining good reference data combined with longer sensor measurements would be a good way forward to develop a stronger LUR model which, together with improved knowledge, can be applied towards improving the quality of health. A health impact assessment, based on the mean level of PM2.5 (23 µg/m3), presented the attributable burden of disease and showed the importance of addressing causes of these high ambient levels in the area.
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| 2. |
- Abera, Asmamaw, et al.
(författare)
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Air Quality in Africa : Public Health Implications
- 2021
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Ingår i: Annual review of public health. - : Annual Reviews. - 0163-7525 .- 1545-2093. ; 42, s. 193-210
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This review highlights the importance of air quality in the African urban development process. We address connections between air pollution and (a) rapid urbanization, (b) social problems, (c) health impacts, (d) climate change, (e) policies, and ( f ) new innovations. We acknowledge that air pollution levels in Africa can be extremely high and a serious health threat. The toxic content of the pollution could relate to region-specific sources such as low standards for vehicles and fuels, cooking with solid fuels, and burning household waste. We implore the pursuit of interdisciplinary research to create new approaches with relevant stakeholders. Moreover, successful air pollution research must regard conflicts, tensions, and synergies inherent to development processes in African municipalities, regions, and countries. This includes global relationships regarding climate change, trade, urban planning, and transportation. Incorporating aspects of local political situations (e.g., democracy) can also enhance greater political accountability and awareness about air pollution. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 42 is April 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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| 3. |
- Abera, Asmamaw, et al.
(författare)
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Measurements of nox and development of land use regression models in an east-African city
- 2021
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Ingår i: Atmosphere. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4433. ; 12:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air pollution causes premature mortality and morbidity globally, but these adverse health effects occur over proportionately in low-and middle-income countries. Lack of both air pollution data and knowledge of its spatial distribution in African countries have been suggested to lead to an underestimation of health effects from air pollution. This study aims to measure nitrogen oxides (NOx), as well as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), to develop Land Use Regression (LUR) models in the city of Adama, Ethiopia. NOx and NO2 was measured at over 40 sites during six days in both the wet and dry seasons. Throughout the city, measured mean levels of NOx and NO2 were 29.0 µg/m3 and 13.1 µg/m3, respectively. The developed LUR models explained 68% of the NOx variances and 75% of the NO2. Both models included similar geographical predictor variables (related to roads, industries, and transportation administration areas) as those included in prior LUR models. The models were validated by using leave-one-out cross-validation and tested for spatial autocorrelation and multicollinearity. The performance of the models was good, and they are feasible to use to predict variance in annual average NOx and NO2 concentrations. The models developed will be used in future epidemiological and health impact assessment studies. Such studies may potentially support mitigation action and improve public health.
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| 4. |
- Balidemaj, Festina, et al.
(författare)
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Indoor air pollution exposure of women in adama, ethiopia, and assessment of disease burden attributable to risk factor
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction and aim: Air pollution, a major environmental threat to human health, contributes to the premature deaths of millions of people worldwide. Cooking with solid fuels, such as charcoal and wood, in low-and middle-income countries generates very high emissions of particulate matter within and near the household as a result of their inefficient combustion. Women are especially exposed, as they often perform the cooking. The purpose of this study was to assess the burden of disease attributable to household air pollution exposure from cooking among women in Adama, Ethiopia. Methods: AirQ+ software (WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used to assess the health impact of household air pollution by estimating the burden of disease (BoD) including Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), lung cancer, and stroke, among a cohort of women in Adama. Household air pollution exposure estimated by cooking fuel type was assessed through questionnaires. Results: Three-quarters (75%) of Adama’s population used solid fuel for cooking; with this, the household air pollution attributable mortality was estimated to be 50% (95% CI: 38–58%) due to ALRI, 50% (95% CI: 35–61%) due to COPD, 50% (95% CI: 27–58%) due to lung cancer, (95% CI: 23–48%) due to IHD, and (95% CI: 23–51%) due to stroke. The corresponding disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 women ranged between 6000 and 9000 per disease. Conclusions: This health impact assessment illustrates that household air pollution due to solid fuel use among women in Adama leads to premature death and a substantial quantity of DALYs. Therefore, decreasing or eliminating solid fuel use for cooking purposes could prevent deaths and improve quality of life.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Eriksson, Axel, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of fine particulate matter from indoor cooking with solid biomass fuels
- 2022
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Ingår i: Indoor Air. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0905-6947 .- 1600-0668. ; 32:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Household burning of solid biomass fuels emits pollution particles that are a huge health risk factor, especially in low-income countries (LICs) such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa. In epidemiological studies, indoor exposure is often more challenging to assess than outdoor exposure. Laboratory studies of solid biomass fuels, performed under real-life conditions, are an important path toward improved exposure assessments. Using on- and offline measurement techniques, particulate matter (PM) from the most commonly used solid biomass fuels (charcoal, wood, dung, and crops residue) was characterized in laboratory settings using a way of burning the fuels and an air exchange rate that is representative of real-world settings in low-income countries. All the fuels generated emissions that resulted in concentrations which by far exceed both the annual and the 24-hour-average WHO guidelines for healthy air. Fuels with lower energy density, such as dung, emitted orders of magnitude more than, for example, charcoal. The vast majority of the emitted particles were smaller than 300 nm, indicating high deposition in the alveoli tract. The chemical composition of the indoor pollution changes over time, with organic particle emissions often peaking early in the stove operation. The chemical composition of the emitted PM is different for different biomass fuels, which is important to consider both in toxicological studies and in source apportionment efforts. For example, dung and wood yield higher organic aerosol emissions, and for dung, nitrogen content in the organic PM fraction is higher than for the other fuels. We show that aerosol mass spectrometry can be used to differentiate stove-related emissions from fuel, accelerant, and incense. We argue that further emission studies, targeting, for example, vehicles relevant for LICs and trash burning, coupled with field observations of chemical composition, would advance our understanding of air pollution in LIC. We believe this to be a necessary step for improved air quality policy.
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| 7. |
- Flanagan, Erin, et al.
(författare)
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Air Pollution and Urban Green Space : Evidence of Environmental Injustice in Adama, Ethiopia
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2624-9634. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While air pollution data in Ethiopia is limited, existing studies indicate high levels of both ambient and household air pollution; rapid urbanization also threatens the preservation of urban green spaces. In this study, environmental injustice, or the disproportionate burden of environmental exposures on persons of lower socioeconomic status (SES), was explored among women in Ethiopia using a mother and child cohort from the city of Adama. Land-use regression models were previously developed for modeling ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) throughout Adama, while household air pollution (cooking fuel type) and the presence of green space were assessed through questionnaires and home visits, respectively. The odds of being exposed to these environmental factors were analyzed in association with two SES indicators, education and occupation, using logistic regression. Our results indicate the presence of environmental injustice in Adama, as women with lower SES shouldered a higher burden of air pollution exposure and enjoyed less urban green space than their higher SES counterparts. These findings encourage the prioritization of air quality control and urban planning resources toward policy action within lower SES areas. From a societal perspective, our results also support more upstream interventions, including investment in educational and occupational opportunities. Still, a human rights approach is emphasized, as governments are responsible for protecting the right to a clean environment, especially for those disproportionately exposed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on environmental injustice in Ethiopia, and the first in Sub-Saharan Africa to investigate the inequalities of ambient and household air pollution exposure as well as urban green space access in the same cohort.
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| 8. |
- Flanagan, Erin, et al.
(författare)
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Ambient and indoor air pollution exposure and adverse birth outcomes in Adama, Ethiopia
- 2022
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-4120. ; 164
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air pollution poses a threat to human health, with pregnant women and their developing fetuses being particularly vulnerable. A high dual burden of ambient and indoor air pollution exposure has been identified in Ethiopia, but studies investigating their effects on adverse birth outcomes are currently lacking. This study explores the association between ambient air pollution (NOX and NO2) and indoor air pollution (cooking fuel type) and fetal and neonatal death in Adama, Ethiopia. A prospective cohort of mothers and their babies was used, into which pregnant women were recruited at their first antenatal visit (n = 2085) from November 2015 to February 2018. Previously developed land-use regression models were utilized to assess ambient concentrations of NOX and NO2 at the residential address, whereas data on cooking fuel type was derived from questionnaires. Birth outcome data was obtained from self-reported questionnaire responses during the participant's postnatal visit or by phone if an in-person meeting was not possible. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess associations within the final study population (n = 1616) using both univariate and multivariate models; the latter of which adjusted for age, education, parity, and HIV status. Odds ratios (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Within the cohort, 69 instances of fetal death (n = 16 miscarriages; n = 53 stillbirths) and 16 cases of neonatal death were identified. The findings suggest a tendency towards an association between ambient NOX and NO2 exposure during pregnancy and an increased risk of fetal death overall as well as stillbirth, specifically. However, statistical significance was not observed. Results for indoor air pollution and neonatal death were inconclusive. As limited evidence on the effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on adverse birth outcomes exists in Sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia, additional studies with larger study populations should be conducted.
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| 9. |
- Isaxon, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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A call for action : Air Pollution, a serious health and economic hazard suffocating Africa
- 2022
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Ingår i: Clean Air Journal. - 1017-1703. ; 32:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Air pollution research has been conducted in Europe and North America as well as in Asia and South America for decades, but there has, so far, only been a limited amount of studies on air pollution and its health effects conducted in Africa. Until recently, global inventories of pollutants from North America Europe and Asia have been used for air quality and climate change modelling in Africa (Bond et al., 2004, Streets et al., 2004, Bond et al., 2007, Klimont et al., 2009, Klimont et al., 2013, Lamarque et al., 2010). Research in air pollution has, however, been lagging far behind in African countries, despite the increasing health and economic impact associated with air pollution in these nations, since systematic monitoring in Africa is often lacking. The health impact of air pollution in African cities has only been sparsely studied: a review from 2018 (Coker and Kizito, 2018) found only 3 studies outside South Africa. Earlier last year, a study showed that air pollution was responsible for 1.1 million deaths across Africa in 2019, with household air pollution—driven largely by solid biofuel used in indoor cook stoves—accounting for 697 000 fatalities (64% of the total), while increased outdoor air pollution claimed 394 000 lives (36% of the total) (Fisher et al., 2021).
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| 10. |
- McCarrick, Sarah, et al.
(författare)
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Toxicity of particles derived from combustion of Ethiopian traditional biomass fuels in human bronchial and macrophage-like cells
- 2024
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Ingår i: Archives of Toxicology. - 0340-5761. ; 98:45, s. 1515-1532
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The combustion of traditional fuels in low-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, leads to extensive indoor particle exposure. Yet, the related health consequences in this context are understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of combustion-derived particles relevant for Sub-Saharan household environments. Particles (< 2.5 µm) were collected using a high-volume sampler during combustion of traditional Ethiopian biomass fuels: cow dung, eucalyptus wood and eucalyptus charcoal. Diesel exhaust particles (DEP, NIST 2975) served as reference particles. The highest levels of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found in wood (3219 ng/mg), followed by dung (618 ng/mg), charcoal (136 ng/mg) and DEP (118 ng/mg) (GC–MS). BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells and THP-1 derived macrophages were exposed to particle suspensions (1–150 µg/mL) for 24 h. All particles induced concentration-dependent genotoxicity (comet assay) but no pro-inflammatory cytokine release in epithelial cells, whereas dung and wood particles also induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (Alamar Blue). Only wood particles induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in macrophage-like cells, while dung particles were unique at increasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). In summary, particles derived from combustion of less energy dense fuels like dung and wood had a higher PAH content and were more cytotoxic in epithelial cells. In addition, the least energy dense and cheapest fuel, dung, also induced pro-inflammatory effects in macrophage-like cells. These findings highlight the influence of fuel type on the toxic profile of the emitted particles and warrant further research to understand and mitigate health effects of indoor air pollution.
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