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Air pollution is a global environmental and public health challenge. There is limited evidence about the air quality in Rwanda, and the concentrations of particulate matter (PM), namely PM2.5 and PM10 in schools have not been well documented. This study evaluated patterns and disparities in indoor PM levels in selected primary schools in Kigali, Rwanda.The study collected PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations from six classrooms in six selected primary schools during the regular school study period in the dry season. Data were collected using mobile air sensors (purple air/PA–II–SD air quality) and an observation checklist. A Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to assess the difference in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations between the six schools. The post-hoc Mann-Whitney test was used to compare all group pairs.The results indicated a significant difference in both the indoor PM2.5 concentration (H (5) = 41.01, p

Introduction Carbon monoxide (CO) is a widely distributed air pollutant. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is poorly soluble in water. CO has a high affinity to [...], High carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations can elicit adverse health effects. We assessed CO concentrations at filling stations and determined carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) levels and health problems reported by filling station attendants (FSAs) via questionnaires. This cross-sectional design studied 20 filling stations from Ibadan North Local Government, Nigeria. Outdoor CO concentrations (ppm) were measured for 8 weeks in August-September 2015 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. and 12:00-2:00 p.m., and %COHb levels were measured among 100 FSAs. Data collected were analyzed using Student&apos;s t-test and analysis of variation (p = .05) and compared with relevant guideline limits. Mean CO concentrations in morning (15.4 [+ or -] 2.1 ppm) and afternoon (11.6 [+ or -] 1.4 ppm) were higher (p < .01) than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 9.0 ppm. Mean %COHb for FSAs (11.1 [+ or -] 2.6) was significantly higher (p < .01) than the WHO guideline of 2.5%. Among respondents, 13.4% of FSAs vomited and 14.9% of FSAs experienced nausea. FSAs need personal protective equipment and filling stations should modernize pump delivery systems to minimize exposures.

Although most of the information presented in the Journal refers to situations within the United States, environmental health and protection know no boundaries. The Journal periodically runs International Perspectives to [...], Inadequate and erratic power supplies mean small businesses use electric generators for alternative power. The authors' goal in the study described here was to assess noise from electric generators and impacts in the commercial areas of Agbowo and Ajibode in Ibadan, Nigeria. Noise levels (A-weighted decibels [dBA]) were measured over 12 weeks, three times a day, during the 2010 dry season using a sound level meter. A questionnaire was administered (515 respondents; 304 in Agbowo, 211 in Ajibode) and audiometric measurements were conducted on 40% of respondents. Mean noise levels varied by source (104 ± 7.7 dBA [diesel], 94.0 ± 6.3 dBA [petrol]) and were highest midday (90.6 ± 5.3 dBA [Agbowo], 70.9 [+ or -] 6.2 dBA [Ajibode]). Mean noise levels in Agbowo (78.5 ± 3.9 dBA) and Ajibode (65.7 ± 4.4 dBA) exceeded World Health Organization guidelines (65 dBA) for outdoor commercial environments. Working and living in Agbowo was significantly associated with current evidence of hearing impairment (odds ratio: 6.8, 95% confidence interval: 3.4-13.7). Reducing exposure to noise from electric power generators serving urban small businesses and homes is warranted.

Introduction In both industrialized nations like the U.S. and less-developed countries (LDCs) like Nigeria in sub-Saharan West Africa, rapid economic and industrial development has occurred coupled with population growth, urbanization, [...], Globally, urbanization has been occurring more rapidly in small-to-medium-sized cities in less-developed countries of Africa and Asia. Studies have suggested associations between traffic and industry-related air pollutants and adverse health outcomes. These chemical and physical exposure agents have also received increased attention for environmental quality concerns like global climate change. Most research to date, however, was conducted in larger industrialized country urban centers. Ibadan, Nigeria, is a historic city characterized by urban sprawl and increasing modernization as an academic and medical training center but is lacking in the implementation of environmental laws. The authors conducted their first training in Ibadan, Nigeria, May 19-23, 2008, based on initial collaborative work during 2006-2008 as well as a trip in mid-March 2007. They describe the rationale for and components of the training, likely one of the first of its kind in Africa. The title of the training was 'Advances in Community Outdoor and Indoor Air and Environmental Quality Monitoring and Exposure Assessment.' Content was multimedia and interdisciplinary. The authors included lectures, group discussions, field experiences at community and industrial sites with cross-sectional environmental monitoring, and planned pilot studies including master's thesis projects based on real-time, grant-funded monitoring equipment provided to the University of Ibadan, including protocol development demonstrations.

The United Nations (UN) mandate of achieving healthful living for all by the year 2015 through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is facing several challenges. In the school environment, and particularly in less developed countries (LDCs), the situation is further strained by both relatively weak infrastructure and competing governmental commitment. Although MDGs offer a holistic approach to remedying many identified problems in the larger society, the authors believe that addressing environmental health issues at schools could help achieve MDGs in many communities worldwide. In this article, the authors comment on fundamental issues in school settings and their environment programs potentially related to attaining MDGs. Their present perspectives cover experiences over the last decade in Nigeria, representing an example from LDCs, and throughout the United States, representing an example from the industrialized countries. The authors suggest that achieving MDGs may be expedited if government agencies and other stakeholders commit to providing basic infrastructure and amenities within and around schools.