Abstract
Long-term particulate matter (PM10) measurements were conducted during the period January 2016 to September 2017 at three sites in Uganda (Mbarara, Kyebando, and Rubindi) representing a wide range of urbanization. Spatial, temporal and diurnal variations are assessed in this paper. Particulate matter (PM10) samples were collected for 24-h periods on PTFE filters using a calibrated pump and analyzed gravimetrically to determine the average density. Particulate levels were monitored simultaneously using a light scattering instrument to acquire real time data from which diurnal variations were assessed. The PM10 levels averaged over the sampling period at Mbarara, Kyebando, and Rubindi were 5.8, 8.4, and 6.5 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline of 20 µg·m−3, and values exceeded the 24-h mean PM10 guideline of 50 µg·m−3 on 83, 100, and 86% of the sampling days. Higher concentrations were observed during dry seasons at all sites. Seasonal differences were statistically significant at Rubindi and Kyebando. Bimodal peaks were observed in the diurnal analysis with higher morning peaks at Mbarara and Kyebando, which points to the impact of traffic sources, while the higher evening peak at Rubindi points to the influence of dust suspension, roadside cooking and open-air waste burning. Long-term measurement showed unhealthy ambient air in all three locations tested in Uganda, with significant spatial and seasonal differences.
Highlights
Numerous human and environmental health concerns are concomitant to poor air quality.Approximately 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2016 occurred due to ambient air pollution [1].Numerous health problems are associated with exposure to inhalable particulate matter (PM10, with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micrometers) [2,3,4,5,6,7]
The high degree of day-to-day variation observed suggests that much of the particulate matter is due to local sources such as open-air waste burning and would not be correlated between locations even if measured on the same day
PM10 mass concentration was monitored in Uganda at three sites that represent different levels of urban development
Summary
Numerous human and environmental health concerns are concomitant to poor air quality.Approximately 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2016 occurred due to ambient air pollution [1].Numerous health problems are associated with exposure to inhalable particulate matter (PM10 , with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micrometers) [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Numerous human and environmental health concerns are concomitant to poor air quality. 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2016 occurred due to ambient air pollution [1]. A few short-term studies have reported polluted ambient air and recommended long-term measurements [8,9,10,11]. Uganda is a developing country in East Africa with a population of approximately 38 million people [12]. In many of these urban and sub-urban centers, small- and large-scale factories are constructed side by side with residential housing. These urban centers have many characteristics that have
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