CHOKING ON DUTY: AIR POLLUTION A THREAT TO NAIROBI TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS

Summary

The video script highlights the severe air pollution in Nairobi, Kenya, where approximately 19,000 people die annually due to polluted air. It emphasizes the plight of traffic police officers who, while ensuring smooth traffic flow, are exposed to hazardous vehicular emissions. The script discusses the health implications of air pollution, including respiratory issues and increased risk of lung diseases and cancer. It also touches on measures like wearing masks and government regulations to mitigate the effects of emissions, underlining the urgent need for sustainable transport systems and better air quality management.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Air pollution in Kenya is a severe issue, with approximately 19,000 deaths annually attributed to it, as reported by the World Health Organization.
• 🏙 Nairobi is identified as one of the most polluted cities, with traffic police officers being particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to vehicle emissions.
• 🚗 Vehicle emissions are the primary contributor to air pollution, especially the fumes from combustion processes.
• 👮‍♂️ Traffic police officers face significant health risks from air pollution, with some experiencing respiratory issues and needing medical attention.
• 😷 Masks are suggested as a protective measure for traffic officers and the general public to reduce the inhalation of harmful pollutants.
• 🌫️ Particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant component of air pollution, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause health problems.
• 🏥 The health impact of air pollution includes respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an increased risk of lung cancer.
• 🌡️ Nairobi's air quality has been fluctuating, with periods of moderate to unhealthy levels, especially in areas with high traffic density.
• 🛣️ The government is implementing measures to mitigate air pollution, including vehicle emission testing and the enforcement of emission standards.
• 🚴‍♂️ Sustainable transport systems, such as electric trains and cycling lanes, are suggested as long-term solutions to reduce vehicular emissions.
• 📉 Despite efforts to regulate emissions, challenges remain in the enforcement of standards and the lack of comprehensive air quality monitoring.

Q & A

How many people die each year in Kenya due to air pollution according to the World Health Organization?

Approximately 19,000 people die each year in Kenya due to air pollution, as reported by the World Health Organization.

Which city is mentioned as one of the polluted cities in the script?

Nairobi is mentioned as one of the polluted cities, killing its citizens due to air pollution.

What is the biggest contributor to air pollution in Nairobi according to the script?

Vehicle emissions are the biggest contributor to air pollution in Nairobi.

What is the impact of air pollution on the respiratory system as explained by Dr. Naid Marali?

Air pollution impacts the respiratory system by causing harmful reactions in the airway, leading to excess inflammation, which is similar to the pathway of how cancer cells are formed, increasing the risk of airway diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, chest infections, and lung cancer.

What is the role of traffic police officers in relation to air pollution as described in the script?

Traffic police officers are responsible for controlling the traffic that contributes to air pollution, and in doing so, they expose themselves to the dangers of air pollution, which can affect their health.

How long do traffic officers typically spend on the road in Nairobi?

Traffic officers in Nairobi typically spend eight hours on the road, sometimes even more, which leads to more exposure to air pollution.

What measures are taken by traffic officers to protect themselves from the effects of pollution while on duty?

Traffic officers are advised to wear masks to prevent toxic contaminants from entering their respiratory system.

What are the chemical components released during combustion in vehicle emissions that are considered toxic?

The chemical components released during combustion in vehicle emissions include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which are considered toxic to humans and the environment.

What is the estimated percentage of Nairobi's PM2.5 air pollution concentrations attributable to road transport?

An estimated 40% of Nairobi's PM2.5 air pollution concentrations are attributable to road transport.

What is PM2.5 and why is it a concern for health?

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These tiny particles are inhalable into the lungs and can induce adverse health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

What measures are being taken by the government to mitigate the effects of vehicle emissions?

The government is implementing measures such as vehicle emission testing, requiring private vehicles to be tested every two years and commercial vehicles annually. They will also be administering emission compliance stickers for vehicles that pass the tests and designating testing centers for this purpose.

What is the current state of air quality in Nairobi as per the script?

The current state of air quality in Nairobi is rated as moderate, which is generally considered unhealthy, posing a risk to vulnerable groups such as asthmatics and people with chronic lung diseases.

Outlines

00:00

🚓 Air Pollution's Impact on Traffic Police in Nairobi

This paragraph highlights the alarming statistic that approximately 19,000 people die each year in Kenya due to air pollution, as reported by the World Health Organization. Nairobi is identified as one of the most polluted cities, with vehicle emissions being the primary contributor. The script focuses on the plight of traffic police officers who are exposed to these harmful fumes during their duty, putting their health at risk. The narrative describes the busy streets of Nairobi, the constant traffic, and the resulting vehicular emissions that pose a significant threat to both the environment and the respiratory health of the officers. It also mentions the rotational duty system, which exposes officers to pollution for extended periods, leading to health issues such as chest infections and chronic respiratory problems.

05:00

😷 Measures to Protect Against Vehicle Emissions

The second paragraph delves into the measures taken to mitigate the effects of air pollution, particularly for traffic police officers. It emphasizes the use of masks to prevent toxic contaminants from entering the respiratory system. The vulnerability of officers is underscored by the fact that prolonged exposure to harmful gases weakens the body's system, increasing the risk of developing chronic lung diseases. The paragraph also discusses the toxic nature of vehicle emissions due to the chemical components released during combustion, which are hazardous to both humans and the environment. The script mentions the presence of particulate matter and other harmful compounds in the air, which can lead to various health issues, including an increased risk of lung cancer. It also touches on the use of specialized masks and the importance of public awareness about the symptoms of air pollution exposure.

10:02

🌫️ The Rising Threat of PM2.5 in Nairobi

This paragraph discusses the specific dangers posed by PM2.5, fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, which is highly inhalable and linked to severe health conditions. It attributes approximately 40% of Nairobi's PM2.5 pollution to road transport and highlights the inadequate road network and poorly enforced vehicle emission standards as contributing factors. The script notes the recent adoption of vehicle emission standards by the East African Community and the amendments to air quality regulations, which are expected to operationalize vehicle testing and improve air quality. It also addresses the high concentration of vehicles in Nairobi, which, despite accounting for only 9% of the population, contributes significantly to the city's pollution levels and health risks.

15:02

🛣️ Addressing Air Pollution in Nairobi: Challenges and Solutions

The final paragraph examines the challenges in addressing air pollution in Nairobi, including the lack of proper regulatory standards and the absence of a central repository for air quality data. It calls for the implementation of sustainable transport systems, such as electric trains and dedicated cycling lanes, to reduce the production of noxious gases. The script also mentions the limited network monitoring and the need for improved air quality assessments. It concludes with a grim portrayal of traffic officers struggling with health issues due to air pollution, emphasizing the urgent need for action to protect both the environment and the people of Nairobi.

Keywords

💡Air Pollution

Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the air, including particulate matter and toxic gases, which can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. In the video, air pollution is a central theme, highlighting its impact on traffic police officers and citizens in Nairobi. The script mentions that approximately 19,000 people die each year in Kenya due to air pollution, emphasizing its severity.

💡World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is mentioned in the script as the source of the report that ranks Nairobi as one of the polluted cities, indicating the global recognition and concern for air quality issues in Kenya.

💡Vehicular Emission

Vehicular emission refers to the release of gases and particulate matter from motor vehicles, which is a significant contributor to air pollution. The script identifies vehicle emissions as the primary cause of air pollution in Nairobi, affecting the health of traffic police officers and residents.

💡Traffic Police Officers

Traffic police officers are law enforcement personnel responsible for directing traffic to ensure smooth flow and safety. The video focuses on the challenges faced by these officers, who are exposed to high levels of air pollution while performing their duties, putting their health at risk.

💡Respiratory System

The respiratory system includes organs involved in the process of breathing, such as the lungs and airways. The script discusses how air pollution impacts the respiratory system, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.

💡Free Radicals

Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons that can cause harmful reactions in the body, including cell damage. The script explains that the chemicals produced by air pollution gases are free radicals, which can lead to chronic cellular damage and contribute to the formation of cancer cells.

💡Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, refers to tiny particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, which can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The script mentions that 40% of Nairobi's PM2.5 air pollution is attributable to road transport, indicating the direct link between vehicular emissions and health risks.

💡Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is a region of the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone, which protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation. The script points out that vehicle emissions not only affect human health but also the environment, including the ozone layer.

💡Masks

Masks are personal protective equipment worn over the nose and mouth to prevent the inhalation of harmful substances. The video suggests that wearing masks is one of the best ways to protect oneself from the effects of air pollution, reducing the intake of particulate matter and potentially harmful gases.

💡Sustainable Transport Systems

Sustainable transport systems refer to transportation methods that have a lower environmental impact, such as electric trains and cycling lanes. The script mentions these systems as potential solutions to reduce air pollution, emphasizing the need for alternative, eco-friendly transportation options.

💡Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index is a numerical scale used to communicate how clean or polluted the air is. The script states that Nairobi's AQI is rated as moderate, which is generally considered unhealthy, especially for vulnerable populations such as asthmatics and those with chronic lung diseases.

Highlights

Approximately 19,000 people die each year in Kenya due to air pollution, as reported by the World Health Organization.

Nairobi is listed as one of the most polluted cities, with vehicle emissions being the primary contributor to air pollution.

Traffic police officers are at high risk due to prolonged exposure to traffic fumes, which are detrimental to their health.

Dr. Naida Mara explains that air pollution can cause inflammation and increase the risk of various respiratory diseases and lung cancer.

Chief Inspector Paul Sigilai shares his personal experience of health issues due to traffic-related air pollution.

Traffic officers face challenges such as chest congestion due to dust and fumes, with some requiring hospital visits.

Officers are rotated in shifts lasting up to eight hours, leading to prolonged exposure to harmful pollutants.

Measures taken by officers to protect themselves include wearing masks to prevent inhalation of toxic contaminants.

The lack of proper equipment increases vulnerability to health issues from long-term exposure to vehicle emissions.

Chemical components from combustion in vehicles are dangerous to both humans and the environment.

Ground level smoke from car exhaust and factories is composed of poisonous gases that can cause health issues.

Wearing masks is a simple yet effective solution to reduce the impact of air pollution on health.

Specialized masks called N95 can filter out harmful gases, but accessibility may be limited.

Symptoms of air pollution exposure include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, with a higher risk of lung cancer.

Nairobi's air quality index is rated as moderate, which is generally unhealthy, especially for vulnerable groups.

The government plans to implement measures such as vehicle emission testing and compliance stickers to mitigate air pollution.

Nairobi's air pollution is exacerbated by a high number of vehicles, poor road networks, and inadequate emission standards.

Sustainable transport systems like electric trains and cycling lanes can help reduce air pollution.

Monitoring of air quality in Nairobi is limited, with a need for more widespread and centralized data collection.

Traffic officers face the grim reality of deteriorating health due to air pollution, with their future appearing bleak.

Transcripts

thank you very much for staying with us

now approximately 19,000 people die each

year due to air poision in Kenya this is

according to a report by the World

Health Organization which places Nairobi

as one of the polluted cities that is

killing its citizens now vehicle imion

is the biggest contributor to air

pollution at the center of all is the

fumes in a special rather at the center

of all the fumes is a special group of

people that are mandated to control the

traffic at the EXP of their health Bram

brings you this special feature dubbed

checking on duty that highlights the

dangers that traffic police officers

face while ensuring that you travel in a

controlled manner to save

time

Nairobi the Green City Under the

Sun the streets of the capital are busy

all day traffic bumper to bumper with

individuals rushing against time to

either get to work or get

home thousands of vehicles drive in and

out of the CBD in a day and with each

engine turned

on one thing comes out vehicular

emission a threat to the very

environment we depend on for survival as

the rush to get to the destination is

Amplified by each acceleration the toxic

fumes become the new reality of

pedestrians using the roads however

there is a faction of people left out of

the question the traffic police officers

whose job is to control the very traffic

that is killing them one vehicle at a

time as they choke on

[Applause]

[Music]

duty when they are busy controlling

traffic in the city

and ensuring that everything is moving

they expose themselves to dangers that

do not need a gun exposure to air

pollution has great impact on the

respiratory system as Dr naid marali

explains air pollution itself has got a

very big problem in our

Airways the molecules or the chemicals

that are produced um by these gases are

what we call is free radicals these free

radicals cause harmful reactions in the

airway by leading to excess inflammation

this is a very similar Pathway to how

cancer cells are formed whereby there is

persistent damage or free radical

formation in cell tissue and this leads

to cell damage or chronic cellular

damage air air pollution then increases

the risk of Airway diseases some of

these diseases are what we know as

asthma they can lead to chronic

obstructive pulmonary diseases they can

lead to increased um incidence of chest

infections

and they can even lead to an increased

risk of lung cancer or other

malignancies as well Paul sigila is a

Chief Inspector and works with the

traffic department his work entails

being on the streets to control traffic

inspector sigilai says he has been

controlling traffic for over 3 years now

and attests to the fact that his health

has been affected as a result I've been

on the traffic department for about uh

almost 3 and a half years yes 3 and a

half years in the CBD yes there's uh

numerous challenges particularly the

fumes the fumes AR that good for uh

human health and uh on some occasion

I've also gone to the hospital for

medical checkup having uh you know the

chest congestions occasioned by dust and

fumes in the CBD and the challenges are

there indeed the challenges of exposure

putting in mind that uh uh the fumes

also affect the environment the O layer

so if you can imagine it is affecting

the O layer what about the human beings

the posting of officers is rotational

with each one of them lasting eight

hours on the road and at times even more

which leads to more exposure these are

the same officers who will be here for

the whole month and uh we keep on

rotating them sometimes they are here at

the railways round about sometimes they

are the highway huru highway now the

rotation happens on weekly basis their

health is on the line as they continue

to call for sick offs some ofic us do

report cases of inspection particularly

chest infection a lot of congestion the

officers that spend more time actually

standing and

walking and uh they rarely have time to

rest because the traffic duties is very

demanding uh we have the congestion the

traffic jam and you hardly get time to

go and rest you only have maybe 10 5

minutes you go and have a little uh you

know a cup of coffee in then back again

so what measures do officers take to

protect themselves from the effects of

pollution as they carry out the duty on

the part of emission from exhaust fumes

of Motor

Vehicles we actually tell them to put on

masks and most of them have masks in

town you see they have masks which will

which will actually prevent what we call

toxic contaminants which are emitted

from the smoke of Motor Vehicles from

getting into their respiratory system

without proper equipment while on the

road for hours and hours the

vulnerability is evident because the

more they take in the more their system

weakens the longer you are exposed or

the longer you're exposed to harmful

gases um the worse uh or the higher the

risk of your development of a

diseases and the higher your severity of

these diseases becomes if you're going

to be out in the street like a traffic

policeman um smack in the middle of uh a

busy highway whereby there's lots of

cars there's lots of exhaust exhaust

fumes you can pretty you you know you

can expect that such a person is at a

higher risk of developing chronic lung

disease vehicle emission have proven to

be toxic because of the compounds

released during combustion the chemical

components after combustion proving to

be dangerous not just to humans but also

to the environment yeah because you have

dust of course and like I said you have

also uh components that have not been

combusted you get to have particles in

the air and those particles in the air

which we refer to a particulate matter

MH will have will have um we'll have

your uh cos and noos and S SO2

SOS those uh components uh that have

been emitted from the engines being

absorbed that is stuck onto the

particulate matter which we call dust MH

and therefore you're

inhaling compounds or chemicals or

molecules uh that are attached to

dust and that is where our story starts

with our health while oone is an

invaluable compound in the upper

atmosphere for our continued existence

when it forms on the ground level a

smoke it has a vast array of health

issues that come along with it there is

also what we call is ground level smoke

ground level smoke is composed of

poisonous gases

that create a thick Vapor um that we end

up inhaling that is mainly as a result

of car exhaust gases diesel engines and

uh sometimes also from uh factories the

use of masks has been fronted as one of

the best ways in which one can protect

oneself from the effects of air

pollution there are two ways to look at

it the first is what can the everyday

mon inii do and one of the easiest

things to do is to wear a mask masks

even though sometimes they comfortable

reduce the amount of particulate matter

like suit that you inhale they may not

reduce the amount of um the regular mask

may not reduce the amount of gases that

you inhale but the amount of fine

particles um that will be reduced they

are specialized masks called G which

have got um uh devices that can convert

or um the harmful gases into less

harmful ones but I don't think that's

something everybody is going to have

access to or wear some of the things

that we do for somebody who has no

choice but to be in a polluted

environment wearing a mask is an easy

solution so what should people exposed

to pollution look out for after exposure

the most common respiratory symptom

generally is cuff and yes with pollution

the most common symptom will still

generally be cuff but it varies for

example an asmatic exposed to air

pollution may start wheezing a lot more

all right or for example an asmatic um

um somebody who's not asmatic exposed to

high amount of pollution May either

develop asthma like symptoms they can

develop cuffing they can develop

wheezing um some people can develop

shortness of breath but it depends

because uh air pollution is also linked

to

cancers and um there may be higher risk

of developing lung cancer as a result of

chronic exposure to pollution this state

of air quality in Nairobi still needs

some working for the month of May from

the 12th to the 22nd the air quality in

the city has been majorly moderate at

the beginning of the month most days

experience good air quality due to the

heavy rains witnessed in the country

during the month of May different areas

including Kio bangi North recorded

unhealthy air quality which was

unhealthy for sensitive groups other

affected areas include n road which

surpassed the unhealthy Mark registering

102 with other areas registering

moderate quality the areas include

dandora face 4 kangi Health Center

Nairobi National Park K bangi North

Health Center estate gate b n estate

gate D elk office stadium and the aakhan

academy an estimated 40% of nairobi's

pm2.5 air pollution concentrations

attributable to ro transport pm2.5 is f

particulate matter that is 2.5 microns

or less in diameter these tiny particles

are inhalable into the lungs and can

induce adverse health conditions the

rise in pm2.5 concentration in noobi is

primarily due to the presence of large

and aged vehicle flight inadequate Road

Network and poorly enforced vehicle

emission standards the regulations

require that

uh they make a requirement for testing

of

vehicles but that that requirement we

were not able to operationalize it

because we didn't have standards for the

vehicles uh recently um the standards

the vehicle emission standards were

adopted by the East African Community

member states that's in 2022 we adopted

the standards we have also amended the

the the regulations the the air quality

regulations 2020 2014 we are waiting for

the government of the air quality

regulations 2024 which have standards

for the vehicle because we could not

operationalize that without one

standards despite accounting for only 9%

of the population the city hosts over a

third of the country's 3 million

Vehicles Fleet

however only 12.8% of Nairobi residents

possess Vehicles their population in

Nairobi is very very high yeah and the

population of of of humans in naobi is

also very high given that every young

guy you me my young brother whenever

they get a job the first thing dream

they have is to own a car okay could be

operating from the same estate living

for the same job job place but everybody

would be happy driving on their their

own Beast pollution is among the lead in

causes of death in Kenya especially in

Nairobi the World Health Organization

estimates that 19,000 people die

annually in Kenya due to air pollution

the United Nations environment program

unep report shows that of the total

death in Kenya resulting from air

pollution Nairobi accounted for 70% of

those death indicating the high degrees

to which air pollution is prevalent in

Kenya's Capital as of May 2024 data from

iqa shows that 490 people have so far

died from air pollution in Nairobi

experts have warned that nairobi's air

quality is getting worse each day with

particulate matter PM 2.5 levels getting

higher than the recommended limit by wh

especially in our city of Nairobi where

you know there are hundreds and

thousands of cars on almost every major

road people are walking next to the cars

there's lots of exhaust fumes there's

lots of factories if you go to

Industrial Area you'll see there's lots

of smoke um you know you can even see

the air is not very clear and if we look

at nairobi's uh air quality index which

is what we use to assess how good our

air is nairobi's air quality index is

rated as moderate moderate is generally

unhealthy this puts vulnerable people

especially asmatics people with a

diseases people with chronic lung

diseases at risk of having increased

flareups increased admissions it really

just becomes a big problem the

government however has measures in place

to help mitigate the effects of emission

so so anytime these uh uh amended

regulations are gazetted we will roll

out uh vehicle emission testing it will

be requirement that when for for for

private Vehicles it will be uh once

after every two years uh commercial

vehicles it will be once annually okay

you'll also we will be administering uh

stickers yeah emission compliance

stickers for vehicles that have uh you

know uh complied with the requirements

upon testing we will designate testing

centers where people uh owners of

vehicles will be requireed once these

regulations are gazetted owners of

vehicles will have to take their

vehicles there for testing once they

they pass the test you you get a sticker

the biggest challenge to dealing with

unroadworthy vehicles has been the lack

of proper regulatory standards the voice

on what should be done is uniform across

the board with the threat on health very

evident so it is true uh when you have a

vehicle that is stationary uh the bus

stops or when uh

uh vehicles are picking passengers and

the exhaust are directed to the the bus

stop or to a shop next to the bus stop

or a kiosk then you have very high

concentrations of U of of the compounds

that that is being exhausted and are

inhaled and over time uh the individuals

get uh into more uh health issues if we

were to reduce the number of of uh Motor

Vehicles on the highway the amount of

air pollution would go down most

sustainable Transport Systems that uh

for example other countries have

implemented include like electric trains

or um having specialized roads that can

accommodate many cyclists tends to

reduce the amount of of noxious gases

produced currently naobi uh the the the

the the network monitoring is is is is

still very limited

CU most of the monitoring sites

are are concentrated in some few areas

but some areas have no monitoring

equipment secondly this data uh we don't

have a central repository where we can

access this data the sun sets in the

Green City Under the Sun pedestrians and

traffic officers who have been busy

working around the clock to fend for

their families Retreat home with

conditions that are slowly taking their

lives normally we deploy the officers

for 8 hours we've got uh the first and

the second Shi and uh the first one

begins at around 5: in the

morning and that one runs until

sometimes in the day around

two there about then the second ship

begins until uh almost uh 10: p.m.

traffic officers who have cleared the

roads are now forced to struggle to

breathe with lungs chocking on duty and

as the vehicles continue to flock to the

streets so does the smoke reducing the

quality of air Visions become blurry

indicating that for those exposed to

poor air quality their future is bleck

and an emission away from Death Brian am

lookup TV Nairobi

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]