Trading along the streets is dangerous to health – EPA

Mr Emmanuel Appoh, a Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned traders along the streets to vacate because vehicle emission was dangerous to their health.

He said chronic exposure to smallest particles such as; sulfates and nitrates from vehicles emission were most associated with diseases and premature deaths in the country.

Mr Appoh disclosed this at a media sensitisation in Accra to create awareness of the Urban Health Initiative (UHI) carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO)in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to improve air quality and health.

He mentioned other pollutants with health impacts as black carbon from kerosene, diesel or biomass, which were the major factors in asthma morbidity and mortality as well as triggering bronchial symptoms, lung inflammation and reduced lung function.

The Director said the Clean Climate Air Coalition (CCAC) together with the WHO were collating data with the sole aim of promoting quality air in the urban areas.

Mr Appoh said air pollution devices were mounted at Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Koforidua to track emission from vehicles, wind blow of dust, remnants of hamarttan and open burning of dangerous chemicals.

Mr Gordon Daku, a representative of the WHO said they would ensure that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) adhered to the implementation of recommendations in the Air Pollution Climate Change and Health document.

He said the UHI project in Ghana had collaborated with the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, EPA and the AMA to measure health risks to identify mitigating factors of pollution.

“A mapping of existing databases, policies and stakeholders linked to air quality data sources to inform and support the development of plans and actions to prevent diseases and address the pollutions in Accra,” Mr Daku said.

He urged the citizenry to adopt positive behaviours to reduce air pollution in order to improve health in the communities.

Madam Comfort Kugblenu of the Ghana Health Service said household and ambient air pollution caused more than 50 per cent of acute lower respiratory infection in children under five years in lower- and middle-come countries.

She said a child who was exposed to unsafe levels of population could face a lifetime health impacts such as neuro-development, leading to lower cognitive test outcomes and that air pollution was one of the leading threats to child health, accounting for almost one in 10 deaths in children under five.

Madam Kugblenu called for the implementation of policies to meet the WHO air quality guidelines to enhance the health of children, while investing in renewables and energy efficiency to reduce over-dependence on fossil fuels.

“There should be better waste management by reducing waste burning, exclusive use of clean fuels and appliances for household cooking, hearting and lighting activities, while schools and playgrounds should be away from sources of air pollution like busy roads and power plants,” she said.

Mr Desmond Appiah, Chief Resilient and Sustainability Officer of the AMA said the Assembly was sensitising the communities on the impact of household energy pollution to prevent diseases, especially among children.

He said as part of the communications and outreach component of the UHI, four communities were part of a “BreatheLife Accra” project namely; Jamestown, Agbogbloshie, Chorkor and Mamprobi to educate the residents to observe clean environment.