Yaoundé Grapples with Alarming Air Pollution Crisis

The preliminary assessment of air pollution in Yaoundé, conducted in December 2023 by the ministry in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute, reveals that pollution levels measured by sensors in the city center far exceed the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The annual limit for fine particulate matter PM2.5 set by the WHO is 25 µg/m3 on average. In Yaoundé, in front of the Acropole bakery, the average fine particulate matter measured was 116 µg/m3 on December 14, 2023. On December 31, 2023, the measured average was 90 µg/m3, with a peak of 192 µg/m3 recorded at 9 a.m. on the same day," states Minepded. This means that the measured value in Yaoundé is sometimes nearly eight times above the accepted average.

Such a situation exposes residents to various illnesses, including respiratory diseases such as influenza and cough. "Air pollution is one of the most significant environmental risks to health. By reducing levels of air pollution, countries can decrease the morbidity associated with strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, and chronic or acute respiratory conditions, including asthma," warns WHO.

But who is responsible for this pollution? Minepded points out that the pollution results from both natural causes (sandstorms from the Sahel and desert regions) and anthropogenic causes (various smoke, including exhaust fumes from vehicles and industrial chimneys).

As an immediate response to mitigate this phenomenon, the Minister of Environment, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development plans to ban the burning of waste. This practice has been increasingly common in major cities in Cameroon, particularly in the context of disruptions to waste collection by the relevant companies. However, it's worth noting that Minepded's initiative faces a significant obstacle: identifying the individuals engaged in the burning of waste.