In a significant effort to combat air pollution, the Kenyan Ministry of Environment has launched new air quality monitoring stations at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and the Nairobi Fire Station. This initiative coincided with International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on September 7, highlighting the urgent need for improved air quality measures.
Dr. George Mwaniki, head of air quality at the World Resources Institute, emphasized the severe air quality decline in Nairobi, stating, “From 1963 to now, air quality has worsened by 180%. If we continue on this trajectory, we could see a 300% increase in pollution levels within 20 years.”
The newly installed monitors will provide critical data on pollutants like particulate matter and black carbon, both of which pose serious health risks. “Air pollution contributes to 7 million deaths globally each year, with 4.2 million linked to ambient air pollution,” Dr. Mwaniki noted.
Nairobi generates approximately 350 tons of hospital waste monthly, and the hospital’s certified incinerator raises concerns about emissions. “Here, we are not only monitoring air quality, but also examining how hospital waste management influences pollution levels,” he explained.
As the project unfolds, a total of 37 air quality monitors will be deployed across Nairobi, with hopes to improve understanding of pollution sources and enhance public health outcomes. Mwaniki urged the government to prioritize air quality issues, stressing, “We are working closely with officials to establish stringent emission standards.”
