High carbondioxide concentration in the air in Turkana and Lamu has been blamed for the increasing levels of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in the region.
An environmental assessment report for the Lokichar Oil fields in Turkana and Lamu Marine crude oil terminal revealed the areas had the highest carbondioxide levels.
The report, conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature Kenya and released last week, measured the quality of air, water and soil. It showed an increasing level of URTIs both in Lamu and Lokichar.
URTIs are the most prevalent diseases in the area and are increasing yearly.
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Data from Turkana South Sub-County Hospital in December last year showed that URTIs contributed to 55 per cent of all the reported cases, followed by eye infections, which are majorly attributed to air pollution.
“Locals in Lokichar allege that the oil drilling project has contributed to the high prevalence of the infections,” said Stanley Chasis, a consultant of the project. Read more…
