Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects millions of people worldwide. In Ghana, air pollution is a harsh reality, resulting in the premature deaths of 28,000 individuals each year. It remains Ghana's number one environmental health risk, accounting for about 8% of total annual mortality.
The economic cost of air pollution is estimated at $2.5 billion, about 4.2% of Ghana's GDP. Because air quality is invisible, it appears to be a silent killer.
Accra, Ghana. Source: Wikipedia
The Link Between Public Health and Air Pollution
In Ghana, thousands of premature deaths can be linked to poor air quality. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has repeatedly warned that prolonged exposure to polluted air worsens cases of asthma, pneumonia and cardiovascular diseases. There is growing scientific evidence that poor air quality is linked to heart disease, stroke, lung disease including lung cancer, chronic cough, asthma, and, most recently, the effects of coronavirus disease.
Both outdoor and household air pollution pose a global threat to health. Unfortunately, 99% of us are exposed to harmful and polluted air, making air pollution one of the most significant threats to our health.
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Air pollution constitutes a critical public health crisis, leading to countless premature deaths among both adults and children annually. The detrimental effects of poor air quality are particularly pronounced in infants and young children, significantly compromising their overall health and well-being. Addressing this issue is crucial in order to prevent prenatal exposure and mitigate the risk of asthma and other related illnesses.
Impact on Children
Air pollution poses a significant threat to the health of children, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Children, due to their faster breathing rate, inhale a greater amount of polluted air compared to adults. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to a wide range of health problems in children.
Respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia are common among children living in areas with high levels of air pollution. The most vulnerable children, such as those living in poverty or in densely populated urban areas, are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
Moreover, pregnant women exposed to polluted air are more likely to give birth prematurely and have small, low birth-weight children. Air pollution is responsible for 20% of newborn deaths worldwide, primarily caused by complications related to low birth weight and preterm birth.
The impact of dirty air extends to children’s education as well. Studies conducted worldwide have identified unhealthy levels of pollution in close proximity to schools. This pollution can lead to decreased school attendance and attention problems among students.
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Air quality is crucial for the well-being of individuals from the moment they are conceived. Pollution poses a threat to fetuses, increasing the likelihood of premature birth and miscarriage. Particularly during childhood, clean air becomes even more essential. Cleaner air, according to research, directly impacts our health and well-being.
In order for children to grow, learn, and reach their full potential, they require clean air to breathe. Enhancing air quality is one of the most effective methods to protect the health and well-being of children. Doctors assert that investing in clean air not only shields babies from conception but also prevents childhood illnesses and conditions such as asthma, which are caused by polluted air.
It promotes the healthy development of children, enabling them to learn and play outdoors. Researchers at the University of Manchester have conducted studies on the potential benefits of cleaner air on memory. Their findings indicate that improved air quality could enhance a child’s working memory by 6%, equivalent to an additional four weeks of learning per year.
Alarmingly, a study revealed that the yearly median PM2.5 concentrations (50.79-67.97 µg m-3) to be significantly higher than the WHO recommendation of 5 µg m-3. Tropospheric ozone concentrations (72.21-92.58 µg m-3 ) also exceeded the WHO annual standard of 60 µg m-3. Furthermore, NO2 concentrations (3.65-12.15 µg m-3 ) surpassed the WHO threshold of 10 µg/m³ in multiple cities.
Hazard indices indicated that PM2.5 and O3 pose significant non-carcinogenic health risks for younger age groups for a daily exposure duration of three hours and beyond. According to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) in the study, exposure to PM2.5 shortens life expectancy by 4.5-6.2 years. The ambient air of the majority (98 %) of the cities was unhealthy for sensitive groups.
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Alarming data from Kaneshie in Accra consistently reports PM2.5 levels far exceeding the WHO’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit of 15 μg/m3. For instance, on September 5, 2023, the PM2.5 levels at Kaneshie stood at a hazardous 155 μg/m3.
Causes of Air Pollution in Ghana
There may be a few causes of air pollution in Ghana, but they have had a huge impact on the health and well-being of Ghanaians and their environment.
Health Effects of Air Pollution
- Emissions from industry and factories: It would take a nose mask to survive a day or two in the free zone enclave of Tema (the area where most of the steel mills are located). The radiation darkens the environment, making it difficult to see or breathe. Some workers vomit blood because of the smoke, so they visit hospitals again and again. Poor air quality is killing people.
- Fashion Waste: Today, fast fashion brands are overproducing to keep up with current trends, creating a huge environmental problem in West Africa. Fifteen million used clothing items are imported into Ghana every week. Every day ships bring 160 tons of old clothes into the country. 40% of what goes on the market goes directly to landfills, creating mountains of unwanted clothing where it is burned, causing air pollution. The fashion industry loses about $500 billion a year to fashion waste. This smoke doesn't make you sick immediately, but over a long period, it negatively impacts your health. Smoke is unhealthy when inhaled. It's hard to breathe, making city dwellers sick all too often.
- Electronic Waste: Workers burn electronic cables to extract precious metals at a landfill in Agbogblosha, the capital of Ghana, Accra. Electronic items with high copper content are in high demand by scrap metal dealers. When they burn these electronic materials, the smoke released is very toxic to their health and the environment. Only the part containing cables and metal and plastic castings is sent for recycling. The rest is discarded or incinerated since there are virtually no e-waste recycling facilities in the country. When it rains, the ash is washed into nearby ponds and rivers where animals graze. Many of the chemicals present in these electronic devices are environmentally persistent, meaning they remain in the environment for a long period after being discarded.
- Indoor Pollution: Indoor air pollution is now the number one cause of death in the world. These fuels are often used in an open fire or traditional stove, resulting in significant residential air pollution. Women and children are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of pollution and are also exposed to the highest concentrations.
- Construction Dust: Dust pollution is a serious problem in some parts of Ghana. This is important because of the construction work being done in the area to improve roads. To travel only a short distance, people are forced to wear different body, face, and nose coverings to avoid the deep penetration of dust for at least 30 minutes of travel.
Air Quality Statistics in Ghana
Annual average concentrations of PM 2.5 in Ghana are well over six times WHO's guidelines of 31.1 micrograms per cubic meter [μg/m3] of ultrafine particles 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, which are known to pose health risks as they can clog a person's lungs.
People in Ghana are more likely to die from air pollution than residents of some other comparable countries, such as Kenya (more than twice as likely) and Rwanda (0.6), and about 28 times more likely to die from air pollution than in Finland and New York the latest WHO data on global air pollution showed. According to the WHO, approximately 203 of every 100,000 deaths in Ghana are attributable to air pollution.
According to data released by the Ghana EPA, average annual air pollution levels in Accra are about five times the WHO average benchmark for the most health-threatening fine particles PM.2.5.
According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, an estimated 28,210 residents died prematurely in 2016 as a result of exposure to air pollution.
The study assessed urban air quality and evaluated both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with human exposure to ambient air pollutants. This study reveals the urgent need for comprehensive air quality policies in Ghanaian cities.
This study evaluated the annual concentrations of PM2.5, NO2 and O3 in the ambient air of 57 cities in Ghana for two decades using historical and forecasted data from satellite measurements.
Air Quality Monitoring Efforts
In Ghana, the EPA with the support of the World Bank, the University of Ghana, the US EPA, and the US Embassy in Accra, has installed air quality monitoring sites in selected places in Accra.
Addressing Air Pollution in Ghana
Accra’s battle with air pollution is part of a wider national challenge, but experts insist solutions exist. For now, researchers stress that public awareness, community action, and strict enforcement of environmental laws are essential.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Act, Act 490, mandates the EPA Ghana to co-manage, protect, and enhance the country’s environment and seek common solutions to global environmental problems.
The 2020 Accra Climate Action Plan brings together stakeholders in Ghana across sectors to address air pollution and its health impacts, waste, and land use (including green spaces).
Addressing the issue of air pollution and its impact on child health requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments and policymakers must prioritise the implementation of stricter air quality standards and regulations.
Furthermore, raising awareness among parents, healthcare professionals, and the general public about the dangers of air pollution is crucial.
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