Chemical Characterization and Seasonality of Ambient Particles (PM 2.5 ) in the City Centre of Addis Ababa

Worku Tefera, Abera Kumie, Kiros Berhane, Frank Gilliland, Alexandra Lai, Piyaporn Sricharoenvech, Jonathan Samet, Jonathan Patz and James J. Schauer
Additional contact information
Worku Tefera: School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 9086, Ethiopia
Abera Kumie: School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 9086, Ethiopia
Kiros Berhane: Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
Frank Gilliland: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
Alexandra Lai: Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Piyaporn Sricharoenvech: Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Jonathan Samet: Office of the Dean, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
Jonathan Patz: Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
James J. Schauer: Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: Ambient air pollution is a growing public health concern in major African cities, including Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), where little information is available on fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 , with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm) pollution. This paper aims to characterize annual PM 2.5 , including bulk composition and seasonal patterns, in Addis Ababa. We collected 24-h PM 2.5 samples in the central city every 6 days from November 2015 to November 2016. The mean (±SD) daily PM 2.5 concentration was 53.8 (±25.0) µg/m 3 , with 90% of sampled days exceeding the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Principal components were organic matter (OM, 44.5%), elemental carbon (EC, 25.4%), soil dust (13.5%), and SNA (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions, 8.2%). Higher PM 2.5 concentrations were observed during the heavy rain season, while crustal dust concentrations ranged from 2.9 to 37.6%, with higher levels during dry months. Meteorological variables, vehicle emissions, biomass fuels, unpaved roads, and construction activity contribute to poor air quality. Compared to the Air Quality Index (AQI), 31% and 36% of observed days were unhealthy for everyone and unhealthy for sensitive groups, respectively. We recommend adopting effective prevention strategies and pursuing research on vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and dust control to curb air pollution in the city.

Keywords: fine particulate matter; organic matter; organic carbon; elemental carbon; dust (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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