NASA-funded study reveals high black carbon levels in Addis Ababa

The research, which analyzed data from 10 ground-based monitoring stations between 2022 and 2025, found that the city's three-year average PM2.5 concentration was 30 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the US EPA health standard by more than three times. Key sources of black carbon spikes include rush-hour traffic, fossil fuel combustion, nighttime biomass burning from charcoal, and seasonal holiday bonfires. Scientists noted that even at night, high emissions persist due to household reliance on charcoal and other solid fuels.

Ethiopia has banned the import of internal combustion engine vehicles in 2024 and is investing in bicycle lanes and electric vehicle infrastructure. The ground measurements will serve as a baseline for NASA's MAIA mission, which plans to launch a satellite observatory in late 2027 to map aerosol types from space and integrate public health research to understand the link between pollutants and health risks in urban centers.