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Air Pollution in Nairobi,Kenya |
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Air Pollution in Kenya whose capital city is Nairobi. Kenya is well known to be the hub of United Nation Environmental Program and also the region where Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof Wangari Mathai to have originated from who August 2015 due to her environmental activities.Back to my topic on air pollution. It is common that when you get to Nairobi City you get a nauseous feeling followed by a headache. Air pollution can either be point sources or non-point sources. Sources of pollution can either be natural or due to human activities (Anthropogenic). Just take some time and breathe in and breathe out did you know what you are breathing? Maybe yes maybe no. We all breathe air thus making the topic of air pollution very relevant. The topic of air pollution has always been neglected yet it plays a critical role in the human health and wellbeing. Per day, we can take roughly 1kg of food 2 kg of water and 20kg of Air. This invisible global pandemic (Air Pollution) claims close to 7Million people worldwide. In Nairobi, Industrialisation and urbanisation have taken part posing serious threats to the environment. Rural to urban migration has led to an abnormal rise in slums. The increase in the middle class has also led to increasing number of personal vehicles in Nairobi. Cases of asthma, Pneumonia and related respiratory diseases are very common in Nairobi, due to inhalation of the particular matter. In Kenya, we have authorities such as the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) who are supposed to ensure compliance with the various air quality standards. In Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) 1999, section 142. (1) States that any person who discharges any dangerous materials into land, water, air, or aquatic environment or pollutes the environment discharges any pollutant into the environment commits an offence. The major challenge has been in getting evidence of the extent of pollution since without evidence or data it is difficult to convict someone. Recently in August 2015 we had a breakthrough whereby UNEP scientists come up with an affordable device that can monitor air pollution parameters. Experiments were done in Kenya and saw that in most areas there is a need for improvement of air quality. The real time monitoring device was able to monitor almost all air quality parameters as one. Thus would help in ensuring compliance to policy. Previously The Kenya Metrological Department was also involved in measuring of air quality parameters. In Kenya, more emphasis has been put in mitigating River pollution. Initiatives like adopting a river have in reducing water pollution.When it comes to air pollution fewer measures are put to mitigate it yet it results in a lot of deaths yearly. References |
 
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5 Comments
Antony, the air pollution problem in Kenya is indeed threatening but good to know that monitoring has been started.
Posted 07-10-2015 20:57
It is so saddening to see the status of air pollution in Nairobi, Kenya as a whole. But happy to know that an effective air quality monitoring system has been adopted, I hope it provides guidelines to way forward in minimizing air pollution.
Thank you for sharing dear Antony :)
Posted 03-10-2015 11:36
I hope autorithies and citizens can tacke the situation more seriosly. Thanks for the report mate. =D
Posted 02-10-2015 23:21
Thanks for the report on air pollution in Kenya.
Posted 02-10-2015 05:29
Sad to know that air pollution is not being tackled at top priority though it is the cause of so many deaths.
Posted 02-10-2015 00:49