Air Pollution Information Network for AfricaA network of scientists and policy makers in southern Africa.
The impacts of air pollution are concerned not only with potential damage to vegetation but also on human health and corrosion damage to buildings. Information is therefore required on these social and economic effects along with ecological and biological studies.
A lot of research has been undertaken in Europe and North America following episodes of forest decline, human mortality and building decay in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s for which limits (critical levels/thresholds) have been defined to prevent/minimise further damage.
The Air Pollution Information Network for Africa, APINA, was formed in 1997 as a result of the networking associated with validating the RAPIDC sensitivity map of the world (the African mapping validation workshop was held in Harare in 1996).
The main role of APINA is to form a strong link between the air pollution scientific community and policy makers at national and regional levels. It acts as a conduit of knowledge and data derived in the scientific programmes and existing research to influence policy and decision-makers in matters related to air pollution.
APINA acts as a link between different networks and programmes on air pollution in Africa. Southern Africa is APINA’s main focus region but activities also reach out across the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Funder: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency