Introduction
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There are different types of pollutants, such as gases, particulates and biological molecules.
The Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit realizing the health impacts of air pollution, earmarked programs towards ensuring air quality as follows;
- Public education on air pollution
- Domiciliary inspections
- School visits
- National tree planting exercise
Public Education on Air Pollution
As part of media engagements to educate the public about sanitation and environmental sustainability, the Municipal Environmental Health Unit in collaboration with NADMO and the Information Services Department, organized a radio talk show at Angel FM in Koforidua to educate people on air pollution and its associated dangers.
In addition, community information centers were used to give education about air pollution and its preventive measures to citizens. Environmental health officers continue to educate the populace about the dangers and ill-health effects of air pollution as one of the major causes of mortality as reported by the World Health Organization.
Domiciliary Inspections
Health Inspection is a core component of the mandate of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit which includes educating the public on the dangers of air pollution. During the period under review, Environmental health officers during their routine house to house inspections gave health education on the dangers of breathing polluted air and how to prevent it. Key among preventive measures are:
- Avoid burning refuse and thrash in homes
- Avoid burning lorry tires
- Provision of adequate ventilation in homes and buildings, and
- Planting of trees
Home occupants who were found in breach of environmental health regulations regarding air pollution were educated and in some instances cautioned to desist from such acts which are detrimental to the environment and human health.
School Visits
During school sanitation visits, dormitories of the Oyoko Methodist Senior High School were inspected to ensure adequate ventilation. The school administration was engaged in a sensitization on air pollution and ways to ensure air quality.