Particulate matter pollution in an informal settlement in Nairobi: Using citizen science to make the invisible visible

West, Sarah; Büker, Patrick; Ashmore, Mike; Njoroge, George; Welden, Natalie A.; Muhoza, Cassilde; Osano, Philip; Makau, Jack; Njoroge, Patrick; Apondo, William

doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2019.102133

Cited by 50 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The study by Desouza et al, however, demonstrated how a citizen science approach and low-cost monitors can assist citizens in the various communities to understand the role they can play in improving air quality and to ask more of their local policymakers and government. West and colleagues also reported loss of data due to power outages during the air pollution measurements using the Dylos Air Quality Monitors (Dylos Corporation, Riverside, CA, USA) [ 36 ]. Another challenge they reported was that Dylos devices only had a 6 h battery life so concentrations during certain periods were not measured which might lead to misrepresentation of air pollution in that location.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The network and the resulting data could be utilized to raise public, societal and policymaker awareness about air pollution. Citizen science and low-cost sensor approaches have been utilized in a number of recent studies to increase awareness about ambient air pollution in targeted communities in SSA [ 35 , 36 ]. Through workshops, the researchers raised awareness of the issue of air pollution and brought together all stakeholders to discuss air pollution issues in all the locations where the studies have taken place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM2.5 Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors

Awokola

Okello

Mortimer

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Ambient air pollution in urban cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is an important public health problem with models and limited monitoring data indicating high concentrations of pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5). On most global air quality index maps, however, information about ambient pollution from SSA is scarce. We evaluated the feasibility and practicality of longitudinal measurements of ambient PM2.5 using low-cost air quality sensors (Purple Air-II-SD) across thirteen locations in seven countries in SSA. Devices were used to gather data over a 30-day period with the aim of assessing the efficiency of its data recovery rate and identifying challenges experienced by users in each location. The median data recovery rate was 94% (range: 72% to 100%). The mean 24 h concentration measured across all sites was 38 µg/m3 with the highest PM2.5 period average concentration of 91 µg/m3 measured in Kampala, Uganda and lowest concentrations of 15 µg/m3 measured in Faraja, The Gambia. Kampala in Uganda and Nnewi in Nigeria recorded the longest periods with concentrations >250 µg/m3. Power outages, SD memory card issues, internet connectivity problems and device safety concerns were important challenges experienced when using Purple Air-II-SD sensors. Despite some operational challenges, this study demonstrated that it is reasonably practicable and feasible to establish a network of low-cost devices to provide data on local PM2.5 concentrations in SSA countries. Such data are crucially needed to raise public, societal and policymaker awareness about air pollution across SSA.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM2.5 Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors

Awokola

Okello

Mortimer

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is also shows the large impact that air pollution still has in the city, with more than a 1,000 new cases of childhood asthma in the city each year. The result also encourages the implementation of large-scale air quality citizen science campaigns in those cities that lack automatic monitoring systems [67,111]. All these different outcomes reinforce the idea that citizen science practices can effectively contribute to environmental exposure assessments and policy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Large-scale citizen science provides high-resolution nitrogen dioxide values and health impact while enhancing community knowledge and collective action

Perelló¹,

Cigarini²,

Vicens³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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We present outcomes from a large-scale air quality citizen science campaign (xAire, 725 measurements) to demonstrate its positive contribution in the interplay between advances in exposure assessment and developments in policy or collective action. A broad partnership with 1,650 people from communities around 18 primary schools across Barcelona provided the capacity to obtain unprecedented high-resolution NO2 levels and an updated asthma Health Impact Assessment. It is shown that NO2 levels vary considerably with at some cases very high levels. More than a 1,000 new cases of childhood asthma could be prevented each year by lowering NO2 levels. Representativity of site selection and the minimal number of samplers for land use regression modelling are considered. Enhancement of community knowledge and attitudes towards collective response were observed and identified as key drivers for successful large-scale monitoring campaigns. The results encourage strengthening collaboration with local communities when exploring environmental health issues.

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“…The study by Desouza et al however demonstrated how a citizen science approach and low-cost monitors can assist citizens in the various communities to understand the role they can play in improving air quality and to ask more of their local policymakers and government. West and colleagues also reported loss of data due to power outages during the air pollution measurements using the Dylos Air Quality Monitors [36]. Another challenge they reported was that Dylos devices only had a 6-hour battery life so concentrations during certain periods were not measured which might lead to misrepresentation of air pollution in that location.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The network and the resulting data could be utilized to raise public, societal and policymaker awareness about air pollution. Citizen science and low-cost sensor approaches have been utilized by a number of recent studies to increase awareness about ambient air pollution in targeted communities in SSA [35,36]. Through workshops, the researchers raised awareness on the issue of air pollution and brought together all stakeholders to discuss air pollution issues in all the locations where the studies have taken place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM<sub>2.5</sub> Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors

Awokola

Okello

Mortimer

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Urban cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are faced with ambient air pollution. This is an important public health problem with models and limited monitoring data indicating high concentrations of pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Going through most global air quality index maps, however, information about ambient pollution from SSA is scarce. We evaluated the feasibility and practicality of longitudinal measurements of ambient PM2.5 using low-cost air quality sensors (Purple Air-II-SD) across thirteen locations in seven countries in SSA. Devices were used to gather data over a 30-day period with the aim of assessing the efficiency of its data recovery rate and identifying challenges experienced by users in each location. The median data recovery rate was 94% (range: 72% to 100%). The mean 24-hour concentration measured across all sites was 38 µg/m3 with the highest PM2.5 period average concentration of 91 µg/m3 measured in Kampala, Uganda and lowest concentrations of 15 µg/m3 measured in Faraja, The Gambia. Kampala-Uganda and Nnewi-Nigeria recorded the longest periods with concentrations>250µg/m3. Power outages, SD memory card issues, internet connectivity problems and device safety concerns were important challenges experienced when using Purple Air-II-SD sensors. Despite some operational challenges, this study demonstrated that it is reasonably practicable and feasible to establish a network of low-cost devices to provide data on local PM2.5 concentrations in SSA countries. Such data are crucially needed to raise public-, societal and policymaker awareness about air pollution across SSA.

show abstract

Particulate matter pollution in an informal settlement in Nairobi: Using citizen science to make the invisible visible

Cited by 50 publications

References 39 publications

Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM2.5 Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors

Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM2.5 Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors

Large-scale citizen science provides high-resolution nitrogen dioxide values and health impact while enhancing community knowledge and collective action

Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM<sub>2.5</sub> Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors

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