Characterizing air and noise pollution and their determinants in elementary schools in Accra, Ghana

In Sub-Saharan African (SSA) cities, elementary school environments may significantly contribute to children’s exposure to environmental pollution, potentially affecting their health, development, and learning. Despite children spending much of their day at school, limited data exists regarding levels, inequalities, and determinants of air and noise pollution in school settings, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. As part of the Accra School Health and Environment Study (ASHES), we assessed air and noise pollution in primary schools across the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, one of SSA’s fastest-growing metropolises, and explored determinants of pollution levels around these schools. We conducted weeklong measurements of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), black carbon (BC), and sound pressure levels in 90 schoolyards (74% public, 26% private). We assessed schoolyard characteristics (surface type, greenness, road proximity) and examined their associations with pollutants using generalized additive models. Additionally, we evaluated 1037 child responses to noise annoyance surveys. Annual equivalent PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded WHO guidelines by 2–13 times (11–65 µg m⁻³). Median noise levels (57 dBA) surpassed Ghana EPA standards at >60% of schools, coinciding with 60% of students reporting high noise annoyance. BC and noise were higher in public and more urban schools. In the most urbanized district, all pollutants were inversely associated with neighborhood socioeconomic status. Lower greenness correlated with higher BC levels; associations with other spatial factors were weak or not statistically significant. These findings underscore the need to reduce air and noise pollution at urban SSA schools and promote healthier, quieter environments that support learning and development.