Advancing environmental health in Africa: the role of biological and air quality monitoring

A quarter of the global disease burden is linked to an unhealthy environment. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing a disproportionate impact due to rapid urbanisation, agricultural intensification, industrial pollution, and climate change. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urgent action is required to assess and mitigate environmental health risks. Recent progress in environmental health research is contributing to a more comprehensive exploration of the impact of the environment on health.  

This session will explore one of the developments that has greatly strengthened environmental health research efforts: human biomonitoring (HBM). However, HBM is still underdeveloped in Africa. Its use is fragmented and limited, despite some existing initiatives. There is a need for comprehensive health biomonitoring initiatives to track pollutant exposure, assess health impacts, and guide targeted interventions. 

We will also discuss air pollution, which is one of the most significant causes of environmental health issues worldwide. The session will focus on the growing importance of low-cost sensors (LCS), coupled with AI developments, and how these can accelerate the advancement of air quality assessment in Africa. Using LCS and AI together can generate more accurate, real-time data, enabling more targeted and effective interventions in the region.