The human body typically has few involuntary functions; and one in particular is the act of breathing. Once inhaled, the oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream and is transformed for use in various purposes throughout the body. Equally important as the ability to breath is the availability of clean fresh air. Air quality in Africa as well as other developing nations has been a concern since the modernization of cities at a pace previously unseen; as more people migrate from the rural areas in hopes for better income opportunities. As a result, we see vehicular congestion rise at an alarming rate. The combination of; urban population increase, limited space and active periods of commerce, and minimal emissions monitoring and regulatory compliance, shows great potential for effects that could prove extremely detrimental to human health, and quality of life in the affected regions. Furthermore, due to lack of proper studies and monitoring efforts, both positive and negative effects of urbanization in these communities remain unknown. Air quality studies were conducted in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria which show correlations between increases in traffic emissions and congestion to health effects in the respective communities. Therefore, implementation of regulatory requirements as well as continuous monitoring and evaluation of other viable alternatives must be encouraged and pursued as Africa arises to a new technologically advanced and innovative society.
