Cotonou - Post Report Question and Answers

What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?

Air quality during the harmattan is truly terrible. I wear a mask and sleep next to a filter. I've been told that this year was the worst people remember, but everyone I know has had a respiratory or sinus infection. - Feb 2020


Decent except during 1-2 months of harmattan. Not much traffic in upscale section of town. No major industry. - Aug 2018


No issues. except for the generator in my yard that blows exhaust directly into my bedroom window. - Jan 2017


Poor during some seasons. I purchased an air filter. - Oct 2015


Moderate: Harmattan winds can bring some dust. - Jun 2015


Moderate, perhaps? It can be pretty dusty, and there's not exactly anything like the EPA here to enforce emission standards. - Aug 2014


Good. No complaints. - Jul 2013


Air quality is fine. Expats run and bike outdoors. - May 2013


Good. - Mar 2013


The air quality depends on the time of year, direction of the wind, and amount of traffic on the street. Right now, the “Harmattans” (Saharan winds) are blowing and filling the sky with gray-brown dust that looks like a dirty overcast. Mix that with diesel and two-cycle effluents and Cotonou air gets a little on the toxic side. - Dec 2011


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