NASA Mission Studies Air Pollution Over Ethiopia
A NASA-funded air pollution monitoring network has provided one of the most detailed long-term views yet of the role of black carbon, or soot produced by fires, diesel vehicles, and other combustion sources, in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The detailed measurements show how pollution changes by time of day and season, including increases associated with […]
A NASA-led air quality research project in Ethiopia's capital city, Addis Ababa, has unveiled one of the most comprehensive long-term analyses of the impact of black carbon, or soot, on the city's atmosphere. The study, published in ES&T: Air, collected data from 10 monitoring sites across Addis Ababa between 2022 and 2025, offering valuable insights into how pollution fluctuates throughout the day and season.
The research reveals that, on average, PM2.5 concentrations in Addis Ababa were more than three times higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's annual health standard. Black carbon levels in the Ethiopian capital were found to be four to nine times greater than in three U.S. metropolitan areas being monitored by the mission.
Lead author Kyan Shlipak highlighted the significance of combining ground sensor data with satellite observations to better understand the relationship between particulate matter pollution and potential health outcomes.
Written by urgent.news from NASA's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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