Chronic air pollution in Addis Ababa

Smog levels in Addis Ababa far exceed safe health norms.

More than 800,000 people were affected by respiratory illness in Addis Ababa due to air pollution last year, according to a report on the capital's air quality released recently by Ethiopia’s health ministry.
The report confirmed that the air pollution level in Addis Ababa exceeds the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) which states that particulate matter pollution, or smog, should not exceed 20 micrograms per cubic metre.
However in some parts of Addis Ababa the smog count exceeds more than 300 micrograms and the number of people presenting in the city's hospitals with respiratory illness is increasing each year.
Describing the air pollution level as "critical", the health ministry said that 819,900 people sought medical treatment for respiratory illness last year, representing 27 per cent of the total number of patients seeking medical attention in Addis Ababa.
The ministry said that 60 per cent of the city's air pollution is a result of vehicle emissions, with the rest caused by gases from solid and liquid waste.