Nairobians are being advised to wear masks when traversing certain parts of the city due to concerning levels of air pollution.
This urgent plea comes from Geoffrey Mosiria, the Chief Officer for Environment for Nairobi County, who highlighted that the air in these areas is “not healthy for human consumption” and could lead to illness.
The warning was issued during a routine maintenance visit to air quality measurement machines located at Eastlands Area, in Mama Lucy.
Mr. Mosiria was accompanied by a deputy director for climate change and air quality monitoring during the inspection.
Breathing Danger: The Threat of Particulate Matter
The primary concern is the high concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the air, specifically PM2.55.
These are tiny particles, 2.5 micrograms or less in diameter, that can penetrate deeply into the lungs when inhaled5. Such exposure is known to cause respiratory problems.
During the visit to Mama Lucy, readings from the monitoring machine revealed a PM2.5 concentration of 28 micrograms.
This figure is alarming, as it is five times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standard of 5 micrograms. The air quality at Mama Lucy was registered as “moderate,” when it should ideally be “good”.
“The concentration at the hour now is 28 micrograms, meaning it’s five times the level set by the WHO. WHO standard states that concentrations exceeding 5 micrograms are too high,” The official said.
Monitoring the Breath of the City
According to Mosiria, Nairobi County has installed a comprehensive network of 87 air quality monitors across the city to track pollution levels.
These gadgets continuously measure the air Nairobians breathe. A “reference monitor” plays a crucial role by collecting, cleaning, and calibrating data from these various stations, ensuring high-quality information.
The data collected is made publicly accessible through the Nairobi Air Quality website.
This platform allows residents to check the air quality in different parts of the city in real-time before they travel. For example, if the air quality in a particular area is indicated as yellow, it signifies “moderate” pollution, while green indicates “good” quality.
High-Risk Areas and Public Advisory
Current data indicates that several areas in Nairobi are experiencing unhealthy air levels. These include:
• Woodley and Kibera area
• Juja Road
• Central Business District (CBD)
• Kawangware, among other areas.
Residents heading to these locations are strongly advised to wear masks to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses.
“So, for now, we are telling residents to wear masks because the air there is not healthy for human consumption. If you breathe that air, you will get sick,” Mosiria urged.
The Nairobi County government urges its citizens to utilise the Nairobi Air Quality website to stay informed about the air they are breathing.
by moses sagwe
