Environmental exposure disparities in urban markets: A comparative air quality assessment in Lusaka, Zambia
1
School of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
2
School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Urban areas exhibit stark infrastructure disparities; unpaved, high-traffic facilities versus paved, enclosed structures. The study quantified PM2.5 and PM10 exposure differences between market infrastructure types and characterized temporal patterns.
METHODS:
Conducted in two marketplaces, in Lusaka, Zambia, located 20 km apart, representing paved (control) and unpaved (exposed) environments. Two low-cost PurpleAir sensors were installed at each market to continuously monitor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, May 25–July 9, 2025. Measurements were recorded every 2 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm, corresponding to market operating hours. Data analysis used synchronized monitoring periods when all sensors were active to minimize temporal confounding. Welch’s two-sample t-tests were conducted to compare pollutant concentrations between the two site types, statistical significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS:
There were 16,079 observations. Exposure sites recorded significantly higher mean concentrations of PM2.5 (32.7 versus 27.6 μg/m³; 95% CI: 3.9–6.2; t = 8.63, p < 0.001) and PM10 (44.4 versus 33.3 μg/m³; 95% CI: 9.7–12.6; t = 15.05, p < 0.001) compared to control site; increases of 18.5% and 33.3%, respectively. PM2.5 levels at exposure sites exceeded the WHO 24-hour guideline value (15 μg/m³) by 118%. Exposure and control sites demonstrated weekday elevations irrespective of infrastructure type for temporal patterns. Control sites exhibited weekend-to-weekday; 214% to 228%, whereas exposure sites showed smaller increases of 102% to 105%. Diurnal patterns were observed at both locations, peak concentrations occurring mid-afternoon (15:00–16:00), during maximum market activity and traffic.
CONCLUSIONS:
PM2.5 concentrations were significantly higher in unpaved, high-traffic market environments. There is need for targeted urban infrastructure improvements such as paving, dust control, and traffic management to reduce air pollution exposure and protect the health of market workers and vendors.
Urban areas exhibit stark infrastructure disparities; unpaved, high-traffic facilities versus paved, enclosed structures. The study quantified PM2.5 and PM10 exposure differences between market infrastructure types and characterized temporal patterns.
METHODS:
Conducted in two marketplaces, in Lusaka, Zambia, located 20 km apart, representing paved (control) and unpaved (exposed) environments. Two low-cost PurpleAir sensors were installed at each market to continuously monitor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, May 25–July 9, 2025. Measurements were recorded every 2 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm, corresponding to market operating hours. Data analysis used synchronized monitoring periods when all sensors were active to minimize temporal confounding. Welch’s two-sample t-tests were conducted to compare pollutant concentrations between the two site types, statistical significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS:
There were 16,079 observations. Exposure sites recorded significantly higher mean concentrations of PM2.5 (32.7 versus 27.6 μg/m³; 95% CI: 3.9–6.2; t = 8.63, p < 0.001) and PM10 (44.4 versus 33.3 μg/m³; 95% CI: 9.7–12.6; t = 15.05, p < 0.001) compared to control site; increases of 18.5% and 33.3%, respectively. PM2.5 levels at exposure sites exceeded the WHO 24-hour guideline value (15 μg/m³) by 118%. Exposure and control sites demonstrated weekday elevations irrespective of infrastructure type for temporal patterns. Control sites exhibited weekend-to-weekday; 214% to 228%, whereas exposure sites showed smaller increases of 102% to 105%. Diurnal patterns were observed at both locations, peak concentrations occurring mid-afternoon (15:00–16:00), during maximum market activity and traffic.
CONCLUSIONS:
PM2.5 concentrations were significantly higher in unpaved, high-traffic market environments. There is need for targeted urban infrastructure improvements such as paving, dust control, and traffic management to reduce air pollution exposure and protect the health of market workers and vendors.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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