KINGSTON, Jamaica — A noted researcher is urging targeted interventions to curb emissions in Jamaica’s urban centres, backed by continuous monitoring and expanded studies in collaboration with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

According to Dr Adrienne Williams, without these measures, air-pollution levels risk remain persistently above recommended standards.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus lecturer made the call following her new study on air quality in Jamaica’s urban centres, which revealed that pollution levels in several major towns and cities surpass international health guidelines, heightening concerns about potential impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health.

The research, titled ‘Air Quality in Jamaica’s Urban Areas from 2010 to 2023’, was presented by Williams during the 16th National Health Research Conference held in February, where it was awarded Best Overall Poster.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Endoscopic Sinus surgeon at Kingston Public Hospital, Dr Warren Mullings, and serves as a precursor to further research on how air pollution may influence long-term respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic sinus disease.

Speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, Williams explained that air-quality data collected by NEPA from monitoring stations across Jamaica were analysed.

The study focused primarily on urban centres, including Spanish Town, Kingston, St Andrew, Portmore, Montego Bay, Mandeville, and May Pen.

Air quality was assessed using two key indicators of particulate pollution, which measure the concentration of fine particles in the air that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

The study found that concentrations of particulate pollution in several Jamaican urban centres were significantly higher than the limits outlined in World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Spanish Town recorded the highest eight-year average concentration at 22.3 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Montego Bay at 13.5 micrograms, and Kingston and St. Andrew (represented by the Constant Spring monitoring site) at 10.34 micrograms – all exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold.

Williams noted that several factors contribute to fluctuations in Jamaica’s air pollution levels.  Seasonal Saharan dust events, which are common during the summer months, can temporarily elevate particulate concentrations.

Other contributors include vehicle emissions, traffic congestion, open burning of rubbish, and fires.

“Urban areas are particularly affected, because many city centres were not originally designed to accommodate today’s volume of vehicles and traffic, leading to visible smoke and smog in densely populated zones,” Williams explained.

She emphasised that air-quality monitoring is closely linked to health outcomes, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and stressed that establishing reliable baseline data is essential for guiding public policy and shaping future environmental interventions.

“This research provides critical baseline data for Jamaica. It helps us understand the current state of air quality and offers evidence that can inform public policy, future research, and environmental management strategies,” she said.

Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr Adrienne Williams, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.
(Photo: Michael Sloley)