Most cities fail pollution guidelines, says WHO

Most cities in the world do not meet the guidelines for air pollution set by the World Health Organisation, according to a report released last week. The report found that about half of the people living in cities were exposed to air pollution by at least 2.5 times higher than what is recommended by the organisation. Kigali, according to the report, has about 1.5 times as much pollution as the world average, but less than half as much as the world’s most polluted areas. Only 12 per cent of the people living in the cities studied were in an area that met the WHO guidelines. Like many other cities in the study, pollution in the urban areas of Rwanda has risen rapidly in the recent past. This is partly attributed to an increase in the volume of traffic on the roads. In 2005, the Rwanda Revenue Authority registered about 40,000 vehicles. By 2012, the number had risen to over 114,000. Industry and domestic practices such as burning fuel also contribute to pollution. The government, however, has taken several measures to tackle the problem. “We have tried to raise awareness through media campaigns and workshops,” said Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the director general of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority. “We have also brought other stakeholders on board, especially the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Rwanda Bureau of Standards, and the Rwanda National Police,” she added. The government has introduced preventative measures like promoting public transport, controlling imported fuels and checking the use of vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition. Police are also authorised to test engines and see how much pollution they emit. Pollution, according to health experts, causes diseases like lung cancer and cardiovascular, influenza as well as bronchitis. Mukankomeje said Rema plans to carry out more sensitisation campaigns through the media. The environmental body has also drafted a law regulating air pollution that is now in its final stage.