Clean fuels and new vehicles are needed to improve urban air quality, a research paper has suggested.
Air quality deterioration is an emerging trend in Addis Ababa due to the old age of vehicles; poor fuel quality; poor maintenance of vehicles; inadequate transport infrastructure; and a lack of proper transport planning and management.
Research papers on the subject were presented at an event organised by the Forum for Environment (FfE) held at the Hilton Hotel on July 14.
The papers recommended the need for an integrated approach, combining clean fuels and clean vehicles to improve air quality. This could be done with a review of vehicle importation age and emissions and the introduction of tax incentives to import modern, environmentally-friendly vehicles.
Tibebu Salehu, a researcher at FfE, indicated that currently there are more than 250,000 vehicles in the country. Out of these, 65 per cent are at least 15 years old and in the last three years a 17.2 per cent annual increase in old vehicles has been observed.
In her research paper, Jene Akumu, Program Manager of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) in Kenya told Capital that emission from these outdated vehicles are very much dependent on the quality of fuels.
In his paper, Misker Tesfay indicated that detailed studies on the level of air pollution in Addis Ababa have not been done, but some studies indicate that the level is increasing, and some measured pollutant values are above the WHO and FEPA standards. For instance, a pilot air quality (2004) study conducted in Addis Ababa suggested that the average 24 hours sulphur concentration is far greater than the annual standards set by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Ms Akumu further indicated that in addition to the contribution of vehicle fumes to poor air quality, emissions from industries and mining; the open burning of waste; and blown dust are the other major sources of air pollution.
The resultant fuel wastage; exacerbation of disease, particularly respiratory diseases; and poor air quality comprises a negative economic burden for the country.
In order to reduce the emissions of toxic gases from exhaust pipes, the research papers recommended that unleaded gasoline; sulphur phase down; air quality monitoring, and emission measurements are introduced.
Various ongoing efforts are being made by the Government to reduce the impact of the problem by addressing the issue with regards to road construction, transport policy, and the emission standards of industries. For example, the country banned leaded fuel importation in 2002, however, it is still importing fuel containing high levels of sulphur.
By Addis Mulugeta
Capital Ethiopia
