The Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA Ghana) is an agency of Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, established by EPA Act 490 (1994).[1] The agency is dedicated to improving, conserving and promoting the country’s environment and striving for environmentally sustainable development with sound, efficient resource management, taking into account social and equity issues.On the 20th February 2023 at the head office of EPA Accra,
The executive director edged Ghanaians to use of pollution mask (nose masks, goggles for eye protection) or use air purifiers if available and he referred to individual like adult, children, pregnant women and he means the entire living human beings.
He also said an individual should reduce outdoor activities including physical exercise, and he explained if one must not going to do anything necessary in town then it better for everyone to stay home and be safe. Expecially underlying health conditions like asthmatic patients and others and that will help not been affected because most of all the affected diseases are mostly carried by ourselves when we move to assemble or amass like, parties, beaches, market centres, etc.
Dr. Henry Kokofu also said everyone must desist from open burning of waste and other materials, places like huge refuse damp are always set ablaze and causes air pollution which is not acute temperature for human health.
He also said an individual should reduce outdoor activities including physical exercise, and he explained if one must not going to do anything necessary in town then it better for everyone to stay home and be safe. Expecially underlying health conditions like asthmatic patients and others and that will help not been affected because most of all the affected diseases are mostly carried by ourselves when we move to assemble or amass like, parties, beaches, market centres, etc.
Dr. Henry Kokofu also said everyone must desist from open burning of waste and other materials, places like huge refuse damp are always set ablaze and causes air pollution which is not acute temperature for human health.
Dr Kokofu explained that although the harmattan season was not over yet, the quality of air had deteriorated to a nearly hazardous level.
He explained that per the EPA’s measurement of Air Quality Index (AQI), air quality that ranged from zero to 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) indicated that the air quality was good for human health while 51 to 100 µg/m3 meant the air quality was acceptable with minimal health risks.
On the other hand, air quality ranging from 101 to 150 µg/m3 indicated unhealthy air quality while 151 to 200 µg/m3 meant very unhealthy air quality, with higher health risks especially for people with underlying health conditions.
When the AQI gets to 201 to 300 µg/m3, it indicates very unhealthy air quality with dire health consequences while 301 and above indicates hazardous air quality, with extremely risky health implications for the entire population.
Dr Kokofu said the current AQI measured by technocrats of the EPA in Accra showed that the air quality had reached very high to hazardous levels, thereby putting the health of the entire population at risk.
He said the country started experiencing the highest form of unhealthy air quality from February 18, this year, but the situation was likely to peak in the coming days.
For a couple of weeks now, there has been clouds of dust, coupled with blurry, windy weather conditions in the country, with many people attributing it to the harmattan said by the EPA boss.
On the other hand, air quality ranging from 101 to 150 µg/m3 indicated unhealthy air quality while 151 to 200 µg/m3 meant very unhealthy air quality, with higher health risks especially for people with underlying health conditions.
When the AQI gets to 201 to 300 µg/m3, it indicates very unhealthy air quality with dire health consequences while 301 and above indicates hazardous air quality, with extremely risky health implications for the entire population.
Dr Kokofu said the current AQI measured by technocrats of the EPA in Accra showed that the air quality had reached very high to hazardous levels, thereby putting the health of the entire population at risk.
He said the country started experiencing the highest form of unhealthy air quality from February 18, this year, but the situation was likely to peak in the coming days.
For a couple of weeks now, there has been clouds of dust, coupled with blurry, windy weather conditions in the country, with many people attributing it to the harmattan said by the EPA boss.
The public is hereby informed that the Agency will continue to collaborate with relevant institutions, GHS, GMA, DVLA and GSA and monitor the situation for updates on our website and social media handles.
by Daniel Mensah.
by Daniel Mensah.
