Like several major African cities, studies of air quality and its impact on the health of the population are lacking in Yaoundé. The consortium DVDH – AtmoTrack – INSERM has developed an innovative methodology to better understand air pollution and identify and implement improvement actions.
No less than 40 micro-sensors were deployed on the territory of the city and enabled to map pollution and better understand its origin. The strong contribution of motorized traffic was thus highlighted, as well as the activities of burning waste, cooking with wood and coal, and the sandstorms of the Sahara. The levels of pollution recorded reach 33 μg/m3 as an annual average for PM2.5, nearly 7 times the threshold recommended by the WHO.
A strong link has been noticed between exposure to PM2.5 particles and the occurrence of asthma, breathing difficulties, and poor general health. An action plan was then developed and submitted to the urban community of Yaoundé and the Cameroonian ministries. To sustain the process, an air quality management unit has been set up. Finally, DVDH organized a tactical urban planning intervention to ease traffic on Kennedy Avenue in the city centre, reduce pollution and raise public awareness. The success of this event led the Mayor of the City to perpetuate the operation and extend it to the adjacent streets.