Lagos Partners University Of Reading On Air Pollution

The Lagos State Government, in its determination to improve quality of life and also bequeath a sustainable environment to residents, is collaborating with the University of Reading, UK, to create awareness on the dangers of air pollution and proffer effective measures to curb environmental nuisance in the State.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, (LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during the presentation of air quality monitoring reports conducted by a PhD Researcher, Henry Akinola, from the University of Reading in collaboration with the agency’s Director of Laboratory Services, Mr. Gregory Lewis.

She noted that the damage of air pollution to human health and ecosystems continues to exacerbate globally, especially in developing countries, stressing that air pollutants such as Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Oxides, amongst others, have been the main causes of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and premature death.

Her words: “Air quality has been continuously deteriorating in Lagos, Nigeria, in the last decades and this is why LASEPA is collaborating with the University of Reading to measure, assess, enlighten and educate the populace about the menace of air pollution and how they can help in its prevention or minimisation to the barest minimum”.

“The need for swift intervention has propelled the agency to open its doors to committed organisations, groups and institutions for holistic collaboration that would be beneficial to our people and the environment by extension”, Fasawe stated.

The Project Supervisors from the University of Reading, Prof. Alan Howard and Dr. Hong Yang, asserted that measuring air quality to establish air pollution using cutting-edge sensors and unhindered access to air quality data at any given time is crucial in the fight against air pollution.

The supervisors disclosed that Henry Akinola, a doctorate student from the University, is monitoring air pollution in Lagos in partnership with the agency using air sensors, conducting surveys and engaging focus groups with different individuals, adding that local communities are being engaged to understand their perceptions and concerns about air quality.

Prof. Howard said, “Akinola has held community group meetings in Agege, Oshodi, Mushin and Ikeja and garnered over 1000 responses to a questionnaire survey. This will help develop effective measures to drastically reduce air pollution and protect human health”.