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. 2023 Jan 30:2023:8516622.
doi: 10.1155/2023/8516622. eCollection 2023.

Urban Air Pollution and Greenness in Relation to Public Health

Addis Bikis  1
Affiliations

Urban Air Pollution and Greenness in Relation to Public Health

Addis Bikis. J Environ Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Air pollution is the result of economic growth and urbanization. Air pollution has been progressively recognized as a serious problem for cities, through widespread effects on health and well-being. There is less concern from stakeholders about greenness and air pollution mitigating factors in an urban area. This research targeted to indicate the spatial dissemination of greenery, air quality levels (PM2.5, PM10, CO2, and AQI), and exposure to air quality-related health risks for the people in the urban area.

Method: The data were collected by measuring air quality at transportation stations and manufacturing industries with Air visual pro, then observing and mapping greenness in the city within the administrative boundary by GIS (street greenery, forest, availability of greenness in the manufacturing industry), and lastly questionnaire and interview were employed for air quality-related health issues. Then, the air quality data were analyzed by using USAQI standards and health messages. Both quantitative and qualitative research approach had employed to explore air pollution levels, availability of greenness, and air quality-related health issues. Moreover, Health questionnaires and greenness were correlated with air quality levels by a simple linear regression model.

Result: The result indicated that there was unhealthy air quality in the transportation and manufacturing industries. The measured air quality showed in a range of 50.13-96.84 μg/m3 of PM2.5, 645-1764 ppm of CO2, and 137-179 Air quality index (AQI). The highest mean of PM2.5 and air quality concentrations at Addis Ababa transportation stations and manufacturing sites ranged between 63.46 and 104.45 μg/m3 and 179-326, respectively. It was observed with less street greenery and greenness available in residential, commercial areas, and manufacturing industries. The pollution level was beyond the limit of WHO standards. The result has shown a health risk to the public in the city, particularly for drivers, street vendors, and manufacturing industry employees. Among 480 respondents, 57.92% experienced health risks due to air pollution by medical evidence.

Conclusion: High health risks due to industries and old motor vehicles in the city need to be reduced by introducing policies and strategies for low-carbon, minimizing traveling distance, encouraging high occupancy vehicles, and promoting a green legacy in the street network and green building.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Research design.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Location of the study and sample dissemination of transportation stations and industries.
Figure 3
Figure 3
number of incidences of air quality-related health problems and AQI at stations.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Average air quality index in manufacturing industries.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Air quality by the speed of a car on the road (A to F level of service).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Vehicles air pollution without street greeneries.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Number of incidences of air quality-related health problems and AQI at manufacturing.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Particulate matter at peak hour and off-peak hour.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Built-up and greeneries coverage in the city of Addis Ababa.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Intervention area and proposed land use with road network and greenery.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Street greenery on major roads to reduce air pollutants from vehicles.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Average air quality index at transportation stations.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Frequency of clinic visits for air quality-related health issues in the past time.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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