Particulate matter (PM) is considered to be one of the main aerosol pollutants that causes significant adverse impact on human health. While many sources of PM have been identified and much investigations have been carried out, the authors have identified a source of pollutant quite hazardous, but most neglected in many air pollution studies in West Africa. Ground sweeping is a regional source of PM that is grossly underreported. Though ground sweeping is common in most parts of the world, the traditional method used in West Africa exposes operators to higher doses of PM. The West African broom, made from the spines of the oil palm leaves is not only short, it is handheld. It is commonly used for sweeping and cleaning, and or as a décor item. To remove dirt from a dusty surface, the operator or cleaner bends directly over the dusty surfaces, running the broom through, to gather the dirt. This stirs up the dust directly into the cleaner’s nose where a greater concentration of the particulates is inhaled. Ground sweeping occurs daily in west African towns and villages; in schools and public places, because of the effect of drought and regular air currents, resulting in littering from shedding of dry leaves from flowers, trees and vegetation around. Every morning women and children come out in their numbers to clean up their, often, dusty homes, classrooms, offices and walkways. This study investigates the effects of the West African traditional way of cleaning the environment on air pollution. The investigation was carried out with a portable/handheld low cost air pollution sensor, Atmotube for a period of six months covering both wet and dry season months. The investigation also considered both indoor and outdoor scenarios. Readings were taken before sweeping as a baseline. Other readings were taken during sweeping, then on hourly interval for twelve hours. The authors observed that the effect of the pollution lasted for over ten hours in indoor scenarios, though the length of time depended on the quality of ventilation. Outdoor scenarios showed a shorter lifetime of aerosol pollutants and dependent on the velocity and duration of air currents. The results show extreme/hazardous air pollution scores/indices during sweeping, which could last for an hour or more.
Keywords: Drought, Dust, Ground sweeping, West African broom, Air quality, particulate matter, indoor/outdoor pollution
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