A groundbreaking study from the University of Cape Town (UCT) has illuminated the stark realities of air pollution in one of South Africa's most iconic cities, revealing that more than 40% of Capetonians—approximately 1.9 million people—are living in areas classified as high to very high risk. This research, led by Dr. Meryl Jagarnath from UCT's Division of Environmental Health in the School of Public Health, marks the first high-resolution mapping of air pollution risks across the Cape Town metropolitan area.

The findings, published in the journal GeoHealth in April 2026, underscore UCT's pivotal role in advancing environmental health research in South Africa. By integrating satellite data with social vulnerability metrics, the study not only quantifies pollution levels but also highlights how historical inequalities amplify health risks for vulnerable communities. This work exemplifies how South African universities are at the forefront of addressing pressing urban environmental challenges through innovative geospatial science.

Cape Town's unique topography, including Table Mountain and frequent temperature inversions, traps pollutants, exacerbating exposure during winter months. The study's use of European Space Agency's Sentinel-5P satellite data provided unprecedented detail, filling gaps left by limited ground monitoring stations. Pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) dominate, often exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines—PM_2.5 levels surpass the annual 5 μg/m³ threshold, reaching over 10 μg/m³ in peaks.

The map vividly illustrates hotspots in the northern and southern suburbs, particularly townships like Khayelitsha, Philippi, Crossroads, and Gugulethu, as well as informal settlements near the airport and industrial zones. These areas coincide with high social vulnerability, characterized by overcrowding, informal housing (up to 12% shacks), unemployment, low education levels, and limited access to healthcare and green spaces. In contrast, central business districts and affluent northern coastal regions show low risk.

Revolutionary Methodology: Satellite Tech Meets Social Science at UCT

UCT researchers employed a novel approach, constructing an Air Quality Index (AQI) from Sentinel-5P tropospheric measurements of NO₂, SO₂, O₃, CO, and aerosols, supplemented by Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reanalysis for PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and black carbon. This data, processed via Google Earth Engine at resolutions up to 3.5 × 7 km, was overlaid with a Principal Component Analysis-derived Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) from 2011 Census data, WorldPop density, land cover, and health facility proximity.

The SVI captured 71.8% variance across 18 indicators, including youth dependency, child-headed households, shack dwellings, dirty fuel use, and road density. Risk levels were categorized into five tiers, revealing persistent hotspots even post-COVID lockdowns, when pollution dipped due to reduced activity. Dr. Jagarnath emphasized, “Earth observation advances public health research by providing continuous, high-resolution data where ground stations fall short.” This interdisciplinary method, blending environmental science and public health, positions UCT as a leader in accessible, scalable tools for African cities.

Collaboration with Dr. Lerato Shikwambana from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) highlights inter-university synergy, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Such partnerships are crucial for South African higher education tackling national challenges like urbanization and climate change.

Pollution Sources: A Multifaceted Urban Challenge

Cape Town's air pollution stems from vehicular emissions along major routes, industrial activities near the harbor and airport, domestic biomass burning for cooking/heating in informal areas, and seasonal wildfires. CO peaks at ~2,500 μg/m³ from traffic and ships; PM_2.5 from incomplete combustion; SO₂ spikes in winter from low-grade fuels. Sea salt aerosols and port operations add layers, worsened by inversions trapping pollutants.

The City of Cape Town's 2024 Air Quality Management Plan identifies similar sources, prioritizing emission inventories and monitoring. Yet, the UCT map reveals disparities: high-risk zones near Philippi industrial area and N2 highway suffer compounded exposure. Universities like UCT contribute by validating models, informing bylaws like the 2016 Air Quality Management By-law.

Health Impacts: Disproportionate Burden on Vulnerable Groups

Exposure elevates risks for respiratory illnesses (asthma, COPD), cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature deaths. PM_2.5 penetrates lungs, entering bloodstream; NO₂ irritates airways. Children, elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions in informal settlements face acute threats due to indoor-outdoor pollution overlap—paraffin stoves emit high PM indoors.

SA-wide, air pollution causes ~25,800 deaths annually, second to HIV. In Cape Town, inequality amplifies: high-SVI wards have higher child dependency and female-headed households, correlating with poorer outcomes. UCT's Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research (CEOHR) has long studied allergens and asthma, linking pollution to rising cases in townships.

Real-world cases: During 2019 wildfires, AQI hit hazardous levels; post-lockdown improvements were uneven, sparing affluent areas. Long-term, chronic exposure contributes to SA's high non-communicable disease burden.

Environmental Justice: Legacy of Apartheid in Air Quality

The map exposes environmental racism: high-risk areas mirror apartheid spatial planning, with Black and Coloured communities in polluted peripheries. Gini coefficient of 0.57 reflects Cape Town's inequality; SVI shows 68% renters in vulnerable wards, limiting mitigation like air purifiers.

Dr. Jagarnath notes, “Structural inequalities shape pollution risk geography.” This aligns with global calls for justice, urging SA universities to advocate policy integrating vulnerability.

Other South African Universities Advancing Air Quality Research

UCT isn't alone. Wits launched Johannesburg's coal pollution app in 2026, using AI for real-time alerts. Stellenbosch and UJ contribute to PM studies; NRF funds multi-uni projects. UWC's groundwater research complements, showing interconnected env risks. These efforts position SA higher ed as pollution mitigation hubs.

Policy Responses and City Initiatives

Cape Town's plan targets 20% PM reduction by 2025 via cleaner fuels, EV incentives. Yet, study calls for vulnerability-based strategies: green corridors in townships, subsidized clean cookstoves. National Air Quality Act needs enforcement; universities lobby via ASSAF.

Solutions and Actionable Insights from UCT

• Targeted Interventions: Prioritize high-risk wards with low-emission zones, tree-planting.
• Tech Adoption: Scale satellite monitoring via SANSA-UCT partnerships.
• Community Engagement: Health education in schools, linking to UCT outreach.
• Research Funding: NRF to support longitudinal health studies.
• Urban Planning: Integrate SVI in zoning to avoid polluting industries near vulnerables.

Individuals: Use masks on high-AQI days, advocate cleaner transport. For academics: Replicate in Durban, Jhb.

Future Outlook: UCT's Vision for Healthier Cities

Jagarnath envisions scalable models for Africa, where urbanization hits 60% by 2050. UCT plans vulnerability-predictive AI, partnering with global unis. As SA grapples emissions (coal 80% energy), higher ed drives transition to renewables, protecting 60M citizens.

This UCT study not only maps risks but catalyzes change, affirming universities' role in sustainable development.

Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash