scholarly journals Impact of Sawmill Industry on Ambient Air Quality: A Case Study of Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. p1
Author(s):  
Raimi Morufu Olalekan ◽  
Adio Zulkarnaini Olalekan ◽  
Odipe Oluwaseun Emmanuel ◽  
Timothy Kayode Samson ◽  
Ajayi Bankole Sunday ◽  
...  

Amid sawmill busy lives, air pollution is one of the greatest casualties of our time and has increased worldwide since 1990. Today, the history of air pollution in sawmills accounts for 93.32% of the total number of wood processing industries in Nigeria, it seems daunting, overwhelming and have positioned the country at a perilous crossroad. For emerging nations such as Nigeria with a population projected to hit 410.6 million humans by 2050 with up to 40-60 million people with mental disorders at the moment, consequently more than 40,000 deaths a year will be due to air pollution. 7 million deaths worldwide is attributed to air pollution with the number set to increase significantly in coming decades mostly through non-communicable diseases like lung cancer, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but also through acute respiratory infections like pneumonia. Similarly, around 90% of all people breathe air contaminated with pollutants. In 2015, tobacco caused 7 million deaths, 1.2 million AIDS, 1.1 million cases of tuberculosis and 0.7 million of malaria, 19% of all cardiovascular deaths, 24% of all deaths due to ischaemic heart disease. 21% of stroke deaths, and 23% of deaths from lung cancer. Non-communicable diseases are responsible for 70% of deaths from air pollution and are a major cause of unexplained infections. In addition, air pollution seems to be significant but it is still not a determinant factor of the risk of neurodegenerative disorders in children and neurodegenerative diseases in adults. This study assessed ambient air quality in major sawmill sites in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Air pollution measurements were made using direct reading through automatic in situ gas monitors; Hand held mobile multi-gas monitor with model AS8900 (Combustible (LEL), and Oxygen (O2)), BLATN with model BR—Smart Series air quality monitor (PM10, Formaldehyde) and air quality multimeter with model B SIDE EET100 (Dust (PM2.5), VOC, Temperature and Relative Humidity). The results show that the mean concentrations of CO, O2 and other measured parameters such as Formaldehyde (HcHo) etc., are commonly lower and within acceptable range of National and International regulatory standards for air quality indices. There are however some exceptions such as mean concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), PM2.5, PM10 and Combustible (LEL) respectively high when compared to National and International standards. This high value is attributed to the amount of pollutant present in the sawmills due to the input of influents it receives from activities of the sawmill. This is why there has been air pollution in Ilorin metropolis and were however, found to be polluted. Given the high cost of additional measures to lessen air pollution and the new perspectives suggesting that health effects can be observed at low concentrations, the health effects of air pollution should be of scientific and regulatory interest in coming years. In the absence of aggressive control, ambient air pollution is expected to cause between 6 and 9 million deaths a year by 2060.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morufu Raimi ◽  
Timothy Kayode Samson ◽  
Ajayi Bankole Sunday ◽  
Adio Zulkarnaini Olalekan ◽  
Odipe Oluwaseun Emmanuel ◽  
...  

Abstract We can’t stop breathing, but we can do something about the quality of air that we breathe. Clean fresh air is indispensable ingredient for a good life quality. Individuals poses the right towards expecting that the breathed air will not harm people. Thus, fighting air pollution will not only improve health outcomes, productivity, and well-being, it’s also essential toward reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas as well as fighting climate change. For examples, a third of the global population is at risk from unhealthy of ambient air pollutants concentrations, with the loss of approximately 6.4 million healthy-life-years attributed specifically to chronic exposure to ambient particulate matter. Expert panels have consistently rated air pollution as a greater health hazard than water pollution. Pollution of air is the leading source of unexplained and undiagnosed diseases, besides have remained associated with a variety of serious human health risks, and in fact, a threshold has not been established under which these pollutants exert no adverse effects. This study evaluates ambient air quality at major sawmill sites in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. “Measurements of Air pollution were accurately carried out using direct reading, automatic in situ gas monitors; Hand held mobile multi-gas monitor with model AS8900 [Combustible (LEL), and Oxygen (O2)], BLATN with model BR – Smart Series air quality monitor (PM10, Formaldehyde) and air quality multimeter with model B SIDE EET100 (Dust (PM2.5), VOC, Temperature and Relative Humidity)”. The outcomes disclosed among others, the average concentrations of CO, O2 as well as other measured parameters for instance formaldehyde (HcHo) etc., they are also consistently low as well as within acceptable range in terms of National as well as Global monitoring standards for air quality indices. However, there are few exceptions for instance the average volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations, PM2.5, PM10 as well as Combustible (LEL) respectively, which are higher when compared to National and Global standards. This high figure is due to pollutant amount existing in the sawmills air environment resulting from input of influents from activities of the sawmill. However, as a result, air pollution in the city of Ilorin is found to be increasingly polluted and are of major health concern because of their synergistic action. Due to the high evidences and values, it can lead to a remarkable rise in over-all figure of hospital visits/ patients’ admissions with acute respiratory illnesses as soon as air pollutants level remained high. Hence, there is the need for an aggressive control of ambient air pollution.


2014 ◽  
Vol 567 ◽  
pp. 3-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Izma Mohammed ◽  
Nurfadhilah Othman ◽  
Khairul Bariyah Baharuddin

Complaints on poor air quality in an enclosed car park have been raised up among the public, which might cause serious health effects to the drivers, passengers, and labours who are working at the premises. Improper design of mechanical ventilation systems in a car park would result in a poor indoor environment. The exhaust emission of motor vehicle contains a variety of potentially harmful substances encompassing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, and fine particulates. In Kuala Lumpur, there is a great demand but a short supply of lands and building spaces. Thus, a large multi-storey underground car parks is a common solution for both, the government and developers. Although the health effects of the motor vehicle emissions and ambient air pollution are already known, but due to the nature of enclosed multi-storey car parks, these health risks are predicted to be intensified. Thus, it is crucial to investigate and evaluate the status of the air pollution in the enclosed car parks with emphasis on sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxides (NO2). Samples were collected in one of the famous shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur using a GrayWolf Advanced Sense Direct Sense; Toxic Gas Test Meters from 8 am until 5 pm on weekdays and weekends. The results demonstrate that the concentrations of SO2 and NO2 on weekends is higher than weekdays. Besides, the concentrations for both weekdays and weekends have exceeded the standard limit set by the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline (MAAQG).


Author(s):  
Jiban Jyoti Das

Industrialization is an important aspect of a growing economy. However, rapid industrialization has caused many serious impacts on the environment. One such impact is the deteriorating air quality, especially around industries. It is said that afforestation is the best and simplest way for improving the air quality. Also, trees and plants have been increasingly used as filters for dust particles around the home, traffic roads, etc. In scientific studies, it has also been found that trees and plant leaves can be used to assess the ambient air quality by an index called the Air pollution tolerance index. A literature search has been done on the scientific database like Sciencedirect and Researchgate to review the existing knowledge of Air pollution tolerance index and to find the tolerant and sensitive species based on it so that these species can be selectively planted to assess the ambient air quality and also to develop a better green belt around refineries and industries in Assam. The study has reviewed the linkage of the impact of air pollution on leaves of plants and trees through scientific evidence. Through such scientific reviews, the most tolerant species of trees and plants were chosen with the condition that it can grow under the climatic condition of Assam. The recommendation and suggestions of tolerant tree and plant species can be used for specific species plantations for developing green belts around refineries and industries in Assam. The recommendation of sensitive species can be used for monitoring ambient air quality with reference to other standard procedures. KEYWORDS: Air pollution tolerance index, Industries, Air- pollution, Green belt


Author(s):  
Aneri A. Desai

In Indian metropolitan cities, the extensive growth of the motor vehicles has resulted in the deterioration of environmental quality and human health. The concentrations of pollutants at major traffic areas are exceeding the permissible limits. Public are facing severe respiratory diseases and other deadly cardio-vascular diseases In India. Immediate needs for vehicular air pollution monitoring and control strategies for urban cities are necessary. Vehicular emission is the main source of deteriorating the ambient air quality of major Indian cities due to rapid urbanization. Total vehicular population is increased to 15 Lacks as per recorded data of Regional Transport Organization (RTO) till 2014-2015. This study is focused on the assessment of major air pollution parameters responsible for the air pollution due to vehicular emission. The major air pollutants responsible for air pollution due to vehicular emissions are PM10, PM2.5, Sox, Nox, HC, CO2 and CO and Other meterological parameters like Ambient temperature, Humidity, Wind direction and Wind Speed. Sampling and analysis of parameters is carried out according to National Ambient Air Quality Standards Guidelines (NAAQS) (2009) and IS 5128.


2021 ◽  
pp. 94-106
Author(s):  
Porush Kumar ◽  
Kuldeep ◽  
Nilima Gautam

Air pollution is a severe issue of concern worldwide due to its most significant environmental risk to human health today. All substances that appear in excessive amounts in the environment, such as PM10, NO2, or SO2, may be associated with severe health problems. Anthropogenic sources of these pollutants are mainly responsible for the deterioration of urban air quality. These sources include stationary point sources, mobile sources, waste disposal landfills, open burning, and similar others. Due to these pollutants, people are at increased risk of various serious diseases like breathing problems and heart disease, and the death rate due to these diseases can also increase. Hence, air quality monitoring is essential in urban areas to control and regulate the emission of these pollutants to reduce the health impacts on human beings. Udaipur has been selected for the assessment of air quality with monitored air quality data. Air quality monitoring stations in Udaipur city are operated by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and RSPCB (Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board). The purpose of this study is to characterize the level of urban air pollution through the measurement of PM10, NO2, or SO2 in Udaipur city, Rajasthan (India). Four sampling locations were selected for Udaipur city to assess the effect of urban air pollution and ambient air quality, and it was monitored for a year from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019. The air quality index has been calculated with measured values of PM10, NO2, and SO2. The concentration of PM10 is at a critical level of pollution and primarily responsible for bad air quality and high air quality Index in Udaipur city.


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Hůnová

Based on an analysis of related core papers and reports, this review presents a historical perspective on ambient air pollution and ambient air quality development in the modern-day Czech Republic (CR) over the past seven decades, i.e., from the 1950s to the present. It offers insights into major air pollution problems, reveals the main hot spots and problematic regions and indicates the principal air pollutants in the CR. Air pollution is not presented as a stand-alone problem, but in the wider context of air pollution impacts both on human health and the environment in the CR. The review is arranged into three main parts: (1) the time period until the Velvet Revolution of 1989, (2) the transition period of the 1990s and (3) the modern period after 2000. Obviously, a major improvement in ambient air quality has been achieved since the 1970s and 1980s, when air pollution in the former Czechoslovakia culminated. Nevertheless, new challenges including fine aerosol, benzo[a]pyrene and ground-level ozone, of which the limit values are still vastly exceeded, have emerged. Furthermore, in spite of a significant reduction in overall emissions, the atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, in particular, remains high in some regions.


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1107
Author(s):  
Vlatka Matkovic ◽  
Maida Mulić ◽  
Selma Azabagić ◽  
Marija Jevtić

Ambient air pollution is one of eight global risk factors for deaths and accounts for 38.44 all causes death rates attributable to ambient PM pollution, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is 58.37. We have estimated health endpoints and possible gains if two policy scenarios were implemented and air pollution reduction achieved. Real-world health and recorded PM pollution data for 2018 were used for assessing the health impacts and possible gains. Calculations were performed with WHO AirQ+ software against two scenarios with cut-off levels at country-legal values and WHO air quality recommendations. Ambient PM2.5 pollution is responsible for 16.20% and 22.77% of all-cause mortality among adults in Tuzla and Lukavac, respectively. Our data show that life expectancy could increase by 2.1 and 2.4 years for those cities. In the pollution hotspots, in reality, there is a wide gap in what is observed and the implementation of the legally binding air quality limit values and, thus, adverse health effects. Considerable health gains and life expectancy are possible if legal or health scenarios in polluted cities were achieved. This estimate might be useful in providing additional health burden evidence as a key component for a clean air policy and action plans.


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