Accra Air Quality Index (AQI)
Ghana's Capital · Agbogbloshie E-Waste Site · Atlantic Coast · Population 3.8M Metro
Agbogbloshie: The E-Waste Crisis at Accra's Heart
Agbogbloshie is located less than 3 km from Ghana's parliament. It is one of the most contaminated places on Earth.
- • 40,000+ e-waste workers on site
- • Electronics burned to extract copper wire
- • 215,000 tonnes of e-waste processed/year
- • Fires burn daily, often all day
- • Lead (soil: 18,000 mg/kg — 45× WHO limit)
- • Cadmium, mercury, arsenic
- • Dioxins, furans (carcinogens)
- • Chlorinated smoke — visible 5 km away
The irony of Agbogbloshie is its origin: much of the e-waste comes from rich countries. Devices banned from landfill in Europe and the US under Basel Convention rules are often relabeled as "second-hand goods" and shipped to Ghana legally. Once in Ghana, unworkable items end up at Agbogbloshie for burning.
For Accra's overall air quality, Agbogbloshie is a localized crisis — its impact on citywide PM2.5 is limited compared to Harmattan dust and traffic. But for the people who live and work in its immediate vicinity, the air quality and soil contamination represent a severe, ongoing public health emergency.
Monthly AQI in Accra
Annual average: AQI 82 — PM2.5 22 μg/m³. Source: IQAir 2024, UNEP, WHO Global Air Quality Database.
Accra's Air Pollution Sources
| Pollutant | Accra Level | WHO Guideline | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM10 | 48 μg/m³ | 15 μg/m³ | Harmattan dust (Nov–Mar), road dust, construction |
| PM2.5 | 22 μg/m³ | 5 μg/m³ | Vehicle exhaust (old fleet), e-waste burning, charcoal cooking |
| Heavy Metals | Elevated (hotspot) | Near zero | Agbogbloshie e-waste burning — lead, cadmium, mercury |
| NO₂ | 28 μg/m³ | 10 μg/m³ | Traffic (many vehicles >15 years old) |
| Dioxins/Furans | Elevated (hotspot) | Near zero | Burning plastic insulation at Agbogbloshie |
Health Advisory — Accra Residents & Visitors
HEPA air purifier in bedroom is the single most impactful investment. Avoid Agbogbloshie area entirely (no tourist value, significant health risk). N95 masks for outdoor commuting Dec–Mar.
Keep children away from Agbogbloshie neighborhood. During Harmattan, limit outdoor time and use N95 on school commutes. Blood lead level testing is advisable for children living near Agbogbloshie.
Visit June–September for best air quality. Atlantic breezes keep the coast relatively clean in wet season. Standard N95 mask sufficient for tourist activities. Avoid Agbogbloshie visit entirely.
Harmattan months (Dec–Mar) are the risk season — dust triggers rhinitis and asthma. Keep rescue medication accessible. Indoor air purification essential. Consult physician before relocating for work.
Frequently Asked Questions — Accra Air Quality
What is Agbogbloshie and why is it famous for pollution?
Agbogbloshie is a neighborhood in central Accra that hosts one of the world's largest informal e-waste processing sites. Old computers, televisions, mobile phones, and other electronics — many imported as 'second-hand goods' from Europe and North America — are burned to melt plastic insulation and recover copper wiring for resale. The burning releases a toxic cocktail of lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, dioxins, and furans. Soil lead levels at Agbogbloshie have been measured at 18,000 mg/kg — 45 times WHO limits. Workers, including children, work without protection in an environment that soil scientists describe as among the most contaminated on Earth.
How does Harmattan affect Accra compared to more northern West African cities?
Accra's coastal location (directly on the Atlantic) gives it some protection compared to inland West African cities. When Atlantic sea breezes blow onshore, they dilute Harmattan dust. But from December through February, the Harmattan typically overpowers coastal effects, pushing PM10 above 80 μg/m³ and reducing visibility. Accra's Harmattan season is shorter and less intense than Abuja's (further north) or Sahel cities, but still significantly impacts air quality for 3–4 months per year.
Why does Accra have such an old vehicle fleet?
Ghana, like most of West Africa, has historically been a destination for used vehicles banned or scrapped in Europe and North America due to emissions standards. The combination of lower vehicle purchasing power, minimal emission inspection requirements, and high import tariffs on new vehicles means the average Accra vehicle is 15–25 years old. These older vehicles emit 10–30 times more PM2.5 and NO₂ than modern cars. Ghana has taken steps toward emission standards, but enforcement has been inconsistent and the fleet turnaround takes decades.
Is Accra safe to live in for expats?
Accra is one of West Africa's most popular expat destinations, and most people live comfortably there with sensible precautions. The air quality concern is real but manageable for most healthy adults. Key actions: install a HEPA purifier at home, use N95 masks during Harmattan months (Dec–Feb), avoid the Agbogbloshie area (tourists have no reason to visit), plan outdoor activities in the wet season (May–August). For children or those with respiratory conditions, additional precautions apply.
What is being done about Agbogbloshie and Accra's air pollution?
Progress is slow but real. The Ghana government has periodically demolished structures at Agbogbloshie and there have been discussions about formalizing e-waste processing with proper facilities and safety standards. International NGOs have provided health screenings for workers. On vehicles, Ghana has been discussing import age restrictions. Atlantic City accords have pushed EU e-waste exporters toward better accountability. But economic pressure — workers at Agbogbloshie earn livelihoods from the site — means simple enforcement without alternative income creation has limited effect.