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Citizen Science and Air Pollution - Nairobi

The AIR (Action for Interdisciplinary Air Pollution Research) Network

This project is developing an integrated transdisciplinary method to address the topic of air pollution in informal settlements in Kenya, and will evaluate whether this method is effective through a pilot project co-created with local residents. The aim is that such a method will become a common language for working on environmental health issues and behavioural change. 

Air pollution is a major health concern around the world, with Particulate Matter (PM) being one of the main pollutants of concern. PM consists of solid and liquid particles of different sizes - the smallest with particle sizes of 2.5 microns or less in diameter is classified as PM2.5 - that stem from burning fossil fuels such as charcoal, petrol, kerosene or biomass such as wood. Every breath a person takes contains PM and once inhaled, PM is known to cause ill health. In Africa alone, PM2.5 causes thousands of premature deaths annually. As well as reducing life expectancy, it lowers the quality of life through respiratory and cardiovascular diseases often leading to a reduction in the resilience and productivity of people. Levels of this air pollutant are particularly high in informal settlements (sometimes referred to as slums), both outdoor and indoor: outdoor due to the settlements often being located near to industrial areas, busy and dusty roads, and sites of litter burning, and indoor due to cooking, lighting and heating with low-quality fuels in badly ventilated huts.

Attempts to improve air pollution and reduce people's exposure to it have been introduced in Nairobi's informal settlements in recent years, including awareness raising campaigns. However, significant positive effects on people's health have not yet been reported. The AIR Network will explore new approaches, bringing together researchers from different disciplines and people who live and work in the informal settlements to discuss the issues, raise awareness and consider potential solutions. These solutions will integrate scientific, non-scientific and societal understanding and knowledge to ensure relevance and impact. 

The network is comprised of 15 partners coming from a wide range of disciplines and they will use a mixture of methods to engage and communicate, including theatre, visual arts, mobile phones, games, story-telling and music. 

Videos: Click here to watch a series of video stories produced by AIR Network participants

View the AIRNetwork Comic (PDF , 4,127kb)‌ used to highlight the issue of air pollution. 

Website: airnetworkafrica.com

Funder: UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Global Challenges Research Fund Partnership Award













Contact:

Steve Cinderby

Project Lead
Dr Steve Cinderby

E: steve.cinderby@york.ac.uk


Read the blog in: 

AIR Network Conversation Blog

by AIR Network
researchers



Videos:

This is one of a series of videos produced by the Action for Interdisciplinary Air Pollution Research (AIR) Network, a partnership bringing together African and European researchers, practitioners and community members interested in air pollution in low-resource settings in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ngugi's Story

This is one of a series of videos produced by the Action for Interdisciplinary Air Pollution Research (AIR) Network, a partnership bringing together African and European researchers, practitioners and community members interested in air pollution in low-resource settings in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dennis's Story

This is one of a series of videos produced by the Action for Interdisciplinary Air Pollution Research (AIR) Network, a partnership bringing together African and European researchers, practitioners and community members interested in air pollution in low-resource settings in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mukuru Community Event

This is one of a series of videos produced by the Action for Interdisciplinary Air Pollution Research (AIR) Network, a partnership bringing together African and European researchers, practitioners and community members interested in air pollution in low-resource settings in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Jared's Story