Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: An Assessment of Air Quality in Sub-Urban Cities in Isoko, Delta State Nigeria
by Akpoghelie, J. O., Irerhievwie, G. O., Agbaire, P. O., and Orisaremi, A.

Abstract:
While it is significant to note that fueling and gas station sandwiched in-between residential building could lead to possible fire outbreak, loss of lives and property, an assessment of air quality in the Oleh Community, Isoko South local government area in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria were examined and finding revealed that air quality in the area is affected to varying degrees by human and natural activities. Results indicate that CO, VOC, CO2 SOX, NOX and suspended particulate matter values for the four location sites were below acceptable values for ambient conditions at most of the locations. Data�s from this study reveals that the concentration of the SO2 ranges between 0.202ppm to 3.55ppm; The oxide of nitrogen (NO2) has concentration of ?0.001ppm; Carbon monoxide (CO) ranges of 0.921ppm to 2.235ppm; Data�s from the study reveals that the different sampling locations in the community had CO2 values that range between 73.000ppm to 125.000ppm; VOCs range from 1.400�gm-3 to 2.5/66�gm-3; Suspended particulate matter range from 15.700�gm-3 to 26.500�gm-3. Field observation shows that common sources of air pollution within the Oleh community are gas flaring, bush burning, combustion of bones, plastics, rubber edging for wheels, among others thus, emitting many health�s damaging pollutants. Though, results from this study reveals that the concentrations of CO, VOC, CO2 SOX, NOX and suspended particulate matter for the four location sites in the Oleh community were within stipulated standards such as the World Health Organization�s (WHO�s) Guidelines and are therefore safe for human health. As the Isoko communities are racing toward urbanization, government, cooperate bodies and other stake holders should partner to educate the masses to limit the amount of pollutant released into the atmosphere. Further study is thus encouraged to attempt to establish a gradient between ambient air quality and indoor air quality cutting across urban and sub � urban cities in Nigeria.

Keywords: assessment, air quality, oleh, isoko, sub-urban city, pollutant, contaminant, delta state, Nigeria

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