A pioneering study aimed at understanding the impact of climate change on respiratory health in Nigeria has been announced by the C2Rest Study Nigeria.
The research, set to begin in January 2025, will focus on grassroots communities in Lagos and Ogun states, with the goal of assessing how climate change and air pollution affect the respiratory health of local populations.
The Principal Investigator of the C2Rest Study Nigeria, Dr. Obianuju Ozoh disclosed the plan during a workshop titled “Community Engagement on Climate Change and Respiratory Health,” held in Atan-Ota, Ogun State, from December 20 to 21, 2024.
Dr. Ozoh, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos and a Consultant Pulmonologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the study.
“We can’t just come in and start assessing their health without first educating them about the impact of climate change, and helping them understand their role in contributing to or mitigating these effects,” Dr. Ozoh explained.
The study, which will run for three years, aims to monitor air quality in selected communities using specialized devices such as the Purple Air air quality monitor. These devices will help measure pollutants in the air, a known contributor to respiratory diseases.
Dr. Ozoh noted that the respiratory system is the first part of the body to be exposed to air pollution, making it the focus of the research.
“We are focusing on respiratory health because the first point of contact with polluted air is the nostrils,” she explained.
In addition to monitoring air quality, the study will track the health of community members over time to assess the impacts of poor air quality on their respiratory health.
“By 2027, we hope to have valuable results, which we will return to the community, educating them about the quality of their air and how it is impacting their health,” said Dr. Ozoh.
Dr. Tolu Babatope, a medical doctor from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, also highlighted the importance of community engagement.
She emphasized that the residents must understand how everyday activities, such as burning refuse or cooking with charcoal, contribute to air pollution.
“The goal is to present the government with evidence so we can advocate for cleaner air,” she said.
The C2Rest Study is supported by the Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues), with Ms. Titilope Akosa, Executive Director of the organization, underscoring the collaborative effort.
“We are working to ensure that people in these communities have access to clean air, which is essential for their health,” said Akosa.
The study will also explore other local sources of pollution, particularly in the commercial centers of Sango and Atan-Ota, where industrial and human activities often contribute to poor air quality. “Understanding these sources is crucial in finding solutions,” added Ms. Akosa.
Local residents, such as Babatunde Owolewa from the Ipamesan Community, expressed their gratitude for the initiative.
“We now know how activities like burning refuse and inhaling fumes from generators can damage our lungs,” Owolewa said.
“This workshop has opened our eyes to the dangers of air pollution, and we are committed to spreading this knowledge throughout the community.”
The C2Rest Study is being led by researchers from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with Principal Investigators from Teesside University and the University of Lagos.
The study is expected to provide significant insights into the relationship between climate change, air quality, and respiratory health, offering actionable data to improve public health in Nigeria’s grassroots communities.
