The move means that the youth competition in Kenya's capital will be the first global track and field event where air quality will be measured and analysed.

It is part of a pilot programme by World Athletics to measure the quality of air at venues around the world.

Data collected could help organisers of future events design safer timetables for athletes, while analysis will be carried out on the correlation between air quality and performance.

World Athletics is also developing a service for road race organisers, who can use a portable air quality device that can be installed two days before the race or be fitted to a bike or electric car.

This allows for the production of an "air quality map" while officials are given advice on how to lower risks.

The Kenya Urban Road Authority and Nairobi City Council have already expressed an interest in the data collected from Kasarani Stadium.

"We are happy that World Athletics has installed the air quality monitor in Nairobi," said Lt General Jackson Tuwei, Athletics Kenya President and chairman of the World Under-20 Championships Organising Committee. 

"The equipment will not only help in the area of sports, but also the city of Nairobi and other Government of Kenya agencies involved in environmental issues."

World Athletics also installed an air quality monitor in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa in 2018, making the one in Nairobi the second in Africa.

A monitor used at last year's World Relays in Yokohama led to a peer-reviewed scientific publication.

All future World Athletics Series events, including this year's World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia in Poland and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Minsk, will include analysis of air quality.

There are plans to soon install a device in Eugene, the home of next year's World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

"We are delighted that World Athletics has installed the first air-quality equipment in a sports facility in Kenya," said Michael Rabar, the chief executive of the World Under-20 Championships.

"The equipment will help measure and enable assessment of the air quality and be able to determine the effects on the residents of the city of Nairobi. 

"It will be a great study to help sensitise all parties on the importance of clean air and be part of the event legacy."

Stéphane Bermon, the health and science department director for World Athletics, added: "Our pilot programme was mostly a feasibility study to better understand the possible challenges of installing and maintaining high-end air quality devices in remote places and countries.

"We are also keen to draw the attention of some of our member federations and competition organisers on the growing importance of air quality for people who exercise, both mass and elite.

"In addition, we want to fine-tune our air quality network prior to and during World Athletics Series events.

"In Nairobi we'll replicate the study we conducted in Yokohama correlating air quality, performance and respiratory symptoms." 

The World Athletics Under-20 Championships will take place between July 7 and 12.