Trends of particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in Dar es Salaam City between 2021 and 2022

Preliminary air pollution data from some African countries shows that the amount of harmful particles in the air, measuring 2.5 and 10 µm (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), is much higher than the World Health Organization guidelines of 25 µg/m3 and 45 µg/m3 for 24-hour observations, respectively. In Dar es Salaam, the authors’ results showed that the daily levels of air pollution measured in different areas such as traffic-heavy roads, industrial zones, residential areas, and near dumpsites ranged from 11.79 to 130.45 µg/m³ for PM_2.5, and 14.23 to 184.15 µg/m³ for PM₁₀.

The highest pollution levels were recorded at Pugu Dampo, a dumpsite, while the lowest levels were found at Kigamboni, a rural residential area. Overall, dumpsites had the worst air quality, followed by industrial areas, then busy roads, and lastly residential areas. This means people living in these areas, especially near dumpsites and factories, could be facing serious health risks due to poor air quality.

To protect public health, the authors of the publication recommend that government agencies:

• Put in place strong systems to monitor and control air pollution.
• Create clear rules and ensure they are followed.
• Run public awareness campaigns on better waste management to help reduce pollution in cities.