Twelve New Air Quality Monitoring Devices

Twelve new air quality monitoring devices have been installed in Akamasoa Andralanitra to protect the health of students and residents.

This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Directorate of Pollution, Waste Management and Environmental Integration (DPDIDE), the National Meteorological Service, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Madagascar.

The area is close to the main landfill site north of Antananarivo and experiences significant air pollution due to fumes and vehicle emissions. This situation is concerning for Akamasoa, which has approximately 21,000 students, making air quality monitoring essential.

Six devices will be deployed in the capital to complement the four already in operation, and six more will be installed in the regions. These devices will allow for the measurement of particles and elements in the air that can cause respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or breathing difficulties. The Director General of the Meteorological Service explained that these devices will help forecast pollution and enable a rapid response.

During the official handover ceremony, the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Environment reiterated that protecting the air is a collective responsibility. Father Pedro, representing Akamasoa, emphasized that clean air is essential for health. He recalled that a teacher had previously died from respiratory problems related to pollution, but that no similar cases have been recorded in the last two years thanks to preventative measures.