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Sagon, a small city nestled within the Zou Department of Benin, occupies a relatively flat terrain at approximately 7.1500°N latitude and 2.4167°E longitude. Its location places it within the broader Dahomey Plateau region, characterized by gently undulating topography. The city’s surrounding landscape is predominantly agricultural, dominated by subsistence farming and small-scale cultivation of crops like maize, cassava, and cotton. This agricultural activity, while vital to the local economy, contributes to particulate matter pollution through land preparation, harvesting, and the burning of agricultural residue. Sagon isn’t directly adjacent to a major body of water, though it lies within the drainage basin of several smaller rivers and streams that feed into larger systems further south. The urban-rural gradient is quite sharp; Sagon itself is a concentrated settlement, quickly giving way to rural farmland. While not a major industrial hub, the increasing presence of small-scale processing facilities for agricultural products, alongside the use of generators for electricity, introduces localised sources of emissions. The prevailing winds, influenced by the Harmattan from the northeast and the moist air masses from the Gulf of Guinea, play a crucial role in dispersing – or concentrating – pollutants within the city’s limited airshed. This geographical setting dictates the specific challenges Sagon faces regarding air quality.

Sagon experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, profoundly impacting air quality. The dry season, typically from November to March, sees a significant increase in particulate matter. Reduced rainfall means less atmospheric cleansing, and increased dust from unpaved roads and agricultural activities becomes prevalent. Harmattan winds, blowing from the Sahara, exacerbate this, carrying substantial amounts of dust southward. January and February are often the months with the poorest air quality. The transition period, March to April, brings increased burning of vegetation to prepare fields for planting, further degrading air quality. The wet season, from May to October, offers a reprieve. Frequent rainfall effectively washes pollutants from the atmosphere, leading to cleaner air. However, high humidity can also promote the formation of mould and fungal spores, potentially triggering respiratory issues. August and September, during the peak of the rainy season, generally offer the best air quality. Temperature inversions, though less common than in temperate climates, can occur during the cooler nights of the dry season, trapping pollutants near ground level. Sensitive groups – children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions – should limit outdoor activity during the dry season and periods of intense agricultural burning.