Indoor Air Quality in the West African Region – A Review

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant public health concern, particularly in a developing region like West Africa where reliance on biomass fuels for cooking contributes to high levels of indoor pollutants. This review examines existing literature on IAQ across West African countries, highlighting both urban and rural studies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar databases and regional journals. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 focusing on IAQ in fifteen West African countries were included. Data was extracted by pollutant levels, source, location and health outcomes. Indoor concentrations of PM2.5 in West African households often exceeded WHO guidelines with the highest concentrations reported in Cote d’Ivoire at 121±12 µg/m³, Senegal 87±10 µg/m³, Ghana 38.1±18.9 µg/m³, Cape Verde 28.5±20.8 µg/m³, Burkina Faso 26.55±9.95 µg/m³, Mali 20±7 µg/m³, and the least in Gambia 4.4 µg/m³. The primary source of indoor air pollution in the region was wood which is highly polluting, its use was most prevalent in Mali (89.4%) and Burkina Faso (87.6%), and least prevalent in Senegal (1.9%) and Togo (1.2-1.4%). Indoor exposure to pollution from polluting fuels was strongly associated with morbidity and mortality from lower respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, and type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, IAQ remains a significant health concern in West Africa. This review emphasizes the urgent need for policy interventions and public health initiatives to improve IAQ through sustainable practices including promoting cleaner cooking technologies, reviewing and enforcing IAQ policies, and awareness campaigns.