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Abstract Air pollution is a pressing problem and causes millions of deaths each year related to its effects on respiratory health worldwide. Despite its significant impact, information on air pollution in many cities, including Hawassa city, remains limited. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and variations of traffic-related air pollution, as measured by carbon monoxide, and its relationship with temperature, relative humidity, traffic flow, and road routing in Hawassa City. We monitored carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in Hawassa city, Ethiopia, for 24 days using real-time monitors with carbon monoxide sensor head. A total of 24 different roads (12 high-traffic congested roads and 12 low-traffic congested roads) were included as monitoring sites. We conducted 1 hour monitoring at each monitoring site in the morning and afternoon to characterize the temporal variations. Accordingly, the average carbon monoxide concentrations varied temporally at different times. In addition, the average carbon monoxide concentrations on paved main roads, traffic light roads and low-traffic flow roads were 4.87 ± 0.6 ppm, 5.38 ± 0.8 ppm and 1.62 ± 0.53 ppm, respectively. The study also identified factors that correlated positively with carbon monoxide concentration, including temperature, relative humidity, traffic flow and road routing. The study concludes that long-term monitoring of carbon monoxide concentrations is necessary to fully characterize the health effects. The study also provides valuable insights for urban planners when implementing measures to mitigate the negative effects.

Air pollution is a pressing problem and causes millions of deaths each year related to its effects on respiratory health worldwide. Despite its significant impact, information on air pollution in many cities, including Hawassa city, remains limited. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and variations of traffic-related air pollution, as measured by carbon monoxide, and its relationship with temperature, relative humidity, traffic flow, and road routing in Hawassa City. We monitored carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in Hawassa city, Ethiopia, for 24 days using real-time monitors with carbon monoxide sensor head. A total of 24 different roads (12 high-traffic congested roads and 12 low-traffic congested roads) were included as monitoring sites. We conducted 1 hour monitoring at each monitoring site in the morning and afternoon to characterize the temporal variations. Accordingly, the average carbon monoxide concentrations varied temporally at different times. In addition, the average carbon monoxide concentrations on paved main roads, traffic light roads and low-traffic flow roads were 4.87 ± 0.6 ppm, 5.38 ± 0.8 ppm and 1.62 ± 0.53 ppm, respectively. The study also identified factors that correlated positively with carbon monoxide concentration, including temperature, relative humidity, traffic flow and road routing. The study concludes that long-term monitoring of carbon monoxide concentrations is necessary to fully characterize the health effects. The study also provides valuable insights for urban planners when implementing measures to mitigate the negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study presents the pattern of respiratory effects seen among residents chronically exposed to gas flaring in some communities in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. The other health challenges associated with this chronic exposure to gas were also evaluated in the study., Methods: A total of three hundred and eighty-six 386 adult residents in Ibeno, Niger Delta Region who have been residents for at least two years. Four hundred and fourteen (414) age, sex, and height-matched control unexposed residents in Etinan were recruited for a cross-sectional survey study comparing their respiratory symptoms and other related health challenges. Past and current smokers were excluded from the study in both groups. The study was conducted using a questionnaire as the investigative tool. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data., Results: Most of the respondents in both exposed and control communities were aged 18-30 years, with a height range of 161-170 cm. Both exposed and control subjects experienced similar symptoms suggestive of respiratory disorders, however, the prevalence was significantly higher among exposed subjects than controls: Cough 57(14.8%) vs. 39(10.1%); breathlessness 58(15%) vs. 28(7.3); wheezing 22(5.7) vs. 12(3.1). The respondents from the exposed community were mostly traders and fishermen while the controls were predominantly farmers., Conclusion: There is substantial evidence from the data presented that prolonged exposure to air pollution from gas flaring has significant respiratory and other health implications on residents in these communities reflected as increased frequency of symptoms of cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, Skin and eye irritation. There is therefore an urgent need for intensified efforts and commitment by the government to speed up the implementation of policies regarding the reduction of flaring of natural gas associated with oil production and the adoption of measures to mitigate the effect of the exposure on human health., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists, (Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine.)