Learners in Nairobi are at a high risk of developing chronic health issues in the future due to exposure to Carbon monoxide (CO) mainly attributed to household air pollution.
According to a study conducted by researchers from the Kenya Medical research institute (KEMRI) in collaboration with their United Kingdom counterparts from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Storkholm Environmental institute and University of Stirling among others, Learners especially from informal settlements are exposed to high levels of Carbon monoxide from cooking despite using Liquid or gas fuels.
The study dubbed ‘Tupumue’ in Swahili, which means ‘let us breathe’ found out that despite using liquid or gas fuels in urban homes, the levels of CO concentration were very much comparable to rural homes which predominantly use solid fuels such as charcoal and wood.
In a bid to ascertain the prevalence, early life factors and air pollution concentrations associated with non-communicable lung disease in Kenya, 200 homes were subjected to air pollution levels monitoring for 24nours in Nairobi.
It established that one in ten homes had extremely high concentrations of CO likely to trigger a European-standard carbon monoxide alarm which meant the likelihood of considerable unquantified burden on health from acute carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Given that carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, chronic health effects in child development may occur because of carbon monoxide exposure in urban settings.” Experts warn.
Furthermore, the study noted that switching to cleaner fuels does not necessarily result in the intended reductions in household air pollution with experts advocating for targeted initiatives such as community education on household air pollution to limit exposure to carbon monoxide in a bid to safeguard public health.
