Environmental Scientist Dr. Frederick Otu-Larbi has revealed that air pollution remains a major health concern in the country, stating that about 28, 000 people die for diseases related to air pollution.
Dr Otu-Larbi, who is also a lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resouces, in a statement on social media, explained that “Poor air quality is a leading cause of death globally. 8 million deaths each year are associated with poor air quality. In Ghana, an estimated 28,000 people die from diseases linked to air pollution each year. This figure is higher than malaria (23,000) and HIV/AIDS (15,000).”
Dr Otu-Larbi noted that air pollution is caused by natural as well as human activities.
“Natural sources of air pollution include volcanoes, pollen, wildfires and gases emitted from trees. For example, during the harmattan season, dust from the Sahel region is carried over to Ghana where it causes air pollution.
Human activities such as cooking with charcoal and firewood, burning of fossil fuels in cars, burning of refuse and tyres, etc, are all responsible for poor air quality,” he clarified.
According to him, as a Consultant with Built Environment Consultancy firm, Pss Urbania, their research in 13 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies(MMDAs) has shown pollution levels above accepted safe levels set by the World Health Organisation(WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).
“Identified hot-spots include Nkrumah Circle, La Maale, Kanda Cluster of Schools, Nima Market, Kotobabi Cluster of Schools, Madina Zongo Junction, Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, and various densely populated locations,” he revealed.
Dr Otu-Larbi is optimistic that the 13 MMDAs will implement the plans they have set to tackle air pollution within their jurisdiction.
