Monitoring Urban Air Pollution in the Global South: Large Gaps Associated with Economic Conditions and Political Institutions

Ambient air pollution has highly adverse effects on public health and the environment, particularly in urban areas of the Global South. Systematic air quality monitoring (AQM) is a precondition for effective policies to mitigate this problem, and making AQM data publicly available also signals commitment to take action. Thus far, little is known about the global capacity for public AQM, and how it varies across geographic location, pollution exposure, and socio-economic characteristics. We thus constructed a novel, geocoded dataset on AQM behavior in more than ten thousand urban areas of low to middle-income countries. In almost 90% of these urban areas, we are unable to identify any monitoring activity, and the form and extent of AQM in the remaining 10% varies greatly. Income levels and characteristics of political institutions (democracy) turn out to be key drivers of variation in AQM activity, with urban areas in more democratic countries more likely to respond with more AQM to high air pollution levels. The evidence provided here can serve as a wake-up call for public authorities, international institutions, and civil society stakeholders to invest far more than hitherto the case into AQM, particularly in under-monitored, less affluent, and less democratic settings. HighlightsO_LIAmbient air pollution has highly adverse effects on public health and the environment, particularly in urban areas of lower income countries. C_LIO_LISystematic air quality monitoring (AQM) is a precondition for effective clean air policies. C_LIO_LILittle is known about the global capacity for public AQM, and how it varies across geographic location, pollution exposure, and socio-economic conditions. C_LIO_LIWe address this gap based on a novel, geocoded dataset on AQM behavior in more than 10000 urban areas of lower income countries. C_LIO_LIIn almost 90% of these urban areas, we are unable to identify any monitoring activity. C_LIO_LIIncome levels and characteristics of political institutions (democracy) turn out to be key drivers of variation in AQM activity. C_LIO_LIUrban areas in more democratic countries are more likely to respond with more AQM to high air pollution levels. C_LIO_LIMajor efforts are required to improve AQM, particularly in under-monitored, less affluent, and less democratic settings. C_LI