Air Quality Addis

Air pollution affects our quality of life and physical well being. Household and outside air pollution causes about 7 million premature deaths every year. An approximation of 95% of the population of Ethiopia uses traditional biomass fuels, such as wood, dung, charcoal, or crop residues, for household energy needs. As a result of the dangerous smoke emitted from the combustion of biomass fuels, indoor air pollution is the cause of more than 50,000 deaths annually and causes nearly 5% of the disease in Ethiopia

In Addis-Ababa, in particular, a recent study by the health bureau of the city administration indicated that chronic respiratory illness including chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain account for more than 40% of cases of illness in hospitals and health centers (source)

There is a very limited air quality monitoring capacity in the country. Let’s note however the new initiative from city council: The Environment Protection and Green Development Commission of Addis Ababa City Administration in partnership with (USE PA) and United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) will begin the installation of air pollution gauge devices as part of the implementation of the Air quality management project.

Another “citizen-based” initiative called Addis Air is the focus of our work.