KAMPALA, (Reuters) – Ugandan scientists have created low-cost sensors for monitoring air quality. These sensors can be used in harsh conditions. This will enable Uganda to replace expensive imported monitors as it tries to combat rising levels of air pollution.

According to the 2021 World Air Quality Report, Kampala is Uganda’s capital and home to 2 million people. It ranks as one of the most polluted places in the world, with pollutants levels seven times greater than those set by the World Health Organisation.

According to Engineer Bainomugisha of Makerere University, Kampala, the motivation for the team was the rising death rate from air pollution.

Pollution remains the world’s largest environmental threat to human health, and in 2017 was responsible for 15% of all deaths globally, according to a report https://gahp.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/PollutionandHealthMetrics-final-12_18_2019.pdf by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP).

Bainomugisha stated that the “number of pollution-related deaths” was a real eye opener. He encouraged people to think about technology and ways they could improve air quality.

GAHP estimates that Uganda’s air pollution is responsible for around 28,000 deaths annually.

AirQo is a part-funded by Google (NASDAQ) and relies on a network containing sensors that cost $150 per piece to collect air quality data in Kampala.

These data are processed with artificial intelligence and machine learning before being uploaded onto a cloud service. This is available to the public through a smart-phone application.

Kampala’s main sources of pollution are unpaved roads, car and industry emissions, and open burning solid waste. Kampala had previously used quality monitors, which were purchased in the United States and cost about $30,000 each.

According to city officials, the equipment required costly maintenance and broke down often because it wasn’t designed for the locale environment.

Bainomugisha stated that AirQo monitoring devices have been installed in the city, including schools and residential areas.

He said that the devices have been designed to survive extreme heat and dust. To be able to work when electricity is lost, they are both powered by solar power and electricity from the grid.