Mapping Pollution Hotspots: A Community-Driven Approach to Cleaning Nigeria's Air

Strategic Insights -

In Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire, pollution has become a significant health risk due to the lack of accurate air quality data and ineffective air quality management strategies. The WHO's recommended air quality standards are currently exceeded in over 80% of cities worldwide, with the vast majority of cities in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire experiencing air pollution levels above recommended limits. A collaborative effort by Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) and local partners aimed to map pollution hotspots and exposure using a three-step approach, leveraging the OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform and low-cost air quality sensors. The project's findings reveal the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in Kaduna, highlighting compounded health risks for residents exposed to this mixture of contaminants during peak traffic hours or periods of industrial activity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 80% of cities in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire experience air pollution levels above recommended limits, with only about 17% of nearly 9,000 monitored cities meeting the WHO's annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 μg/m³.
  • The Eco-Smart Cities project, led by HOT and local partners, mapped over 3 million buildings, 6,000 km² of road, and 38,895 km² of land in 22 local government areas in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire.
  • Low-cost air quality sensors were deployed to measure key pollutants such as PM2.5 in real-time, providing insights into day-to-day air pollution levels in selected neighborhoods.
  • The air quality expert's review of the preliminary results revealed the presence of both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in Kaduna, highlighting compounded health risks for residents exposed to this mixture of contaminants.
  • The findings indicate the need for long-term monitoring and the donation of solar-powered monitoring devices to support continued monitoring.
  • Community open mapping has increased monitoring coverage, ensuring that quality monitoring can be sustained beyond the project's lifecycle.
  • By overlaying air quality data with OSM data, it becomes possible to pinpoint specific types of at-risk facilities, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, such as schools and health centers.
  • Government agencies are now better equipped to track air quality and take informed steps to protect over 3.5 million people in Nigeria.

Statistics:

  • Over 80% of cities in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire experience air pollution levels above recommended limits. (IQAir World Air Quality Report, 2024)
  • Only about 17% of nearly 9,000 monitored cities meet the WHO's annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 μg/m³. (IQAir World Air Quality Report, 2024)
  • Over 3 million buildings, 6,000 km² of road, and 38,895 km² of land were mapped in 22 local government areas in Nigeria. (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, 2024)
  • Low-cost air quality sensors were deployed to measure key pollutants such as PM2.5 in real-time, providing insights into day-to-day air pollution levels in selected neighborhoods. (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, 2024)
  • The air quality expert's review of the preliminary results revealed the presence of both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in Kaduna. (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, 2024)

Sources:

  • IQAir World Air Quality Report, 2024
  • Punch News
  • https://www.ccacoalition.org/news/cote-divoire-endorses-national-short-lived-climate-pollutant-action-plan-improve-air-quality-and-mitigate-climate-change
  • Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT)