| dc.description.abstract | High population density, industrialization and increased vehicle use have led to severe
deterioration of air quality in most urban centres. The most obvious air pollutant is the
increased load of suspended particulate matter, which is known to have serious implication
on human health. Health effects are mostly associated with particles in the size range of
about 10 micrometres and below. It was therefore the aim of this study to determine the
levels of suspended particulate matter in Kibera, the variation of the particulate matter levels
with weather parameters such as rainfall, humidity and temperature, their heavy metal
content and to correlate these levels with incidences of acute respiratory infections (ARl) of
children under five years of age. Dustfall in a typical office working environment was also
monitored by way of exposing pre-weighed coarse filters in the office and laboratory
environment.
In this study, data on suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected over a one year
period in Kibera, a suburban area of Nairobi is presented and discussed. The SPMwas
monitored as PMIOusing the "Gent" Stacked Filter Unit (SFU) at heights of two (2) and four
(4) metres above the ground level. The suspended particulate matter (SPM) was analysed by
gravimetric, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and energy dispersive X-ray
fluorescence (EDXRF) techniques. The data analysis included calculation of interelement
correlations (pearson-product moment) and enrichment factors.
For the acute respiratory infections (ARI) incidences, a questionaire administered It) the
mother elicited information on the symptoms. A total of 146 children were followed
throughout the year. The ARI incidences ranged from (29.9-59.6%).
The mean PMJOvalues varied from (77.6-159.1~lg/m3) for samples collected at a height
of two (2) metres and (60.9-138~lg/m3) at four (4) metres above the ground. These values are higher than previous data (30-80J.!g/m3) reported for a sub-urban site in Nairobi. | en |
