South Africa’s electricity disaster is an air quality disaster, too

Langerman, Kristy E.; Garland, R. M.; Feig, Gregor; Mpanza, Mbalenhle; Wernecke, Bianca

doi:10.17159/caj/2023/33/1.15799

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Despite the fact that about 93% and 91% of the residents of Mabopane and Soshanguve have access to electricity, respectively [ 65 ]; they still use open fire sources (coal, wood, and paraffin) for domestic purposes. This may be due to the rising costs of electricity and continued load-shedding in low-income countries such as South Africa [ 66 , 67 , 68 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Atopic Eczema among Preschool Children in South Africa

Bhuda,

Wichmann,

Shirinde

2024

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between outdoor and indoor air pollution sources and atopic eczema among preschool children in South Africa. A cross-sectional design, following the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III protocol, was applied. The study was conducted in Mabopane and Soshanguve Townships in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa. A total population of 1844 preschool children aged 7 years and below participated in the study; 1840 were included in the final data analysis. Data were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of eczema ever (EE) and current eczema symptoms (ESs) was 11.9% and 13.3%, respectively. The use of open fires (paraffin, wood, or coal) for cooking and heating increased the likelihood of EE (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 0.76–3.52) and current ESs (OR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.00–3.74). Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure at home increased the likelihood of EE (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.08–2.55) and current ESs (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.07–2.43). Mothers or female guardians smoking cigarettes increased the likelihood of EE (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 0.86–2.62) and current ESs (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.71–2.13). The use of combined building materials in homes increased the likelihood of EE, and corrugated iron significantly increased the likelihood of current ESs. The frequency of trucks passing near the preschool children’s residences on weekdays was found to be associated with EE and current ESs, with a significant association observed when trucks passed the children’s residences almost all day on weekdays. Atopic eczema was positively associated with exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution sources.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Atopic Eczema among Preschool Children in South Africa

Bhuda,

Wichmann,

Shirinde

2024

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As one of the most dramatically changing continents, Africa is experiencing myriad environmental sustainability issues (e.g., Davidson et al, 2003;Washington et al, 2006;Ziervogel et al, 2014;Boone et al, 2016;Swilling et al, 2016;Baudoin et al, 2017;Güneralp et al, 2017;Nicholson, 2019;Fisher et al, 2021;Langerman et al, 2023). These environmental issues are causing vast losses in lives and in African economies and are coupled with poverty and underdevelopment (Washington et al, 2006;Fisher et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of the Multi-Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols version 0 (MUSICAv0) for air quality in Africa

Tang

Emmons

Worden

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. The Multi-Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols Version 0 (MUSICAv0) is a new community modeling infrastructure that enables the study of atmospheric composition and chemistry across all relevant scales. We develop a MUSICAv0 grid with Africa refinement (~28 km × 28 km over Africa). We evaluate the MUSICAv0 simulation for 2017 with in situ observations and compare the model results to satellite products over Africa. A simulation from the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem), a regional model that is widely used in Africa studies, is also included in the analyses as a reference. Overall, the performance of MUSICAv0 is comparable to WRF-Chem. Both models underestimate carbon monoxide (CO) compared to in situ observations and satellite CO column retrievals from the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) satellite instrument. MUSICAv0 tends to overestimate ozone (O3), likely due to overestimated stratosphere-to-troposphere flux of ozone. Both models significantly underestimate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at two surface sites in East Africa. The MUSICAv0 simulation agrees better with aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column retrievals from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) than WRF-Chem. MUSICAv0 has a consistently lower tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) column than OMI retrievals. Based on model-satellite discrepancies between MUSICAv0 and WRF-Chem and MOPITT CO, MODIS AOD, and OMI tropospheric NO2, we find that future field campaign(s) and more in situ observations in an East African region (30° E – 45° E, 5° S – 5° N) could substantially improve the predictive skill of atmospheric chemistry model(s). This suggested focus region exhibits the largest model-in situ observation discrepancies, as well as targets for high population density, land cover variability, and anthropogenic pollution sources.

show abstract

Fuel switching and energy stacking in low-income households in South Africa: A review with recommendations for household air pollution exposure research

Wernecke,

Langerman,

Howard

et al. 2024

Energy Research & Social Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

South Africa’s electricity disaster is an air quality disaster, too

Cited by 5 publications

References 10 publications

Association between Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Atopic Eczema among Preschool Children in South Africa

Association between Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Atopic Eczema among Preschool Children in South Africa

Application of the Multi-Scale Infrastructure for Chemistry and Aerosols version 0 (MUSICAv0) for air quality in Africa

Fuel switching and energy stacking in low-income households in South Africa: A review with recommendations for household air pollution exposure research

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About