Public Health Implications of Seasonality in Noxious Gases from Dumpsites in Some Niger Delta States, Nigeria
Glory Richard1*, Moses O. Nwagbara2, Vincent E. Weli1
Citation :Glory Richard, et.al., Public Health Implications of Seasonality in Noxious Gases from Dumpsites in Some Niger Delta States, Nigeria International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences. 2019, 7(5) : 9-22 .
This study evaluated the public health implications of seasonality in air pollutants in some Niger Delta States, Nigeria. Air emission parameters (NO2, SO2, CO, NH3, H2S, VOC) and meteorological indicators (wind speed, temperature and relative humidity) were determined at 3 distances (3.05 m, 7.62 m and 15.24 m) in a windward direction bimonthly for 1 calendar year covering the two predominant seasons (wet and dry) from waste dumpsites in some Niger Delta states (Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Abia). Portable environmental sensors were deployed for the assessment. The data collected were used to assess the health risk to those exposed following standard protocol. Data obtained were analyzed using three factorial, Spearman correlation and air quality index. The health risk assessment was carried under two background scenarios (median and geometric mean). Fifty percent of mean detected values were used for areas where emission was not detected. Results for NH3, H2S, CO, SO2, NO2, wind speed, temperature and relative humidity ranged from 2.16 - 4.11 ppm, 1.86 - 4.92ppm, 0.03 - 1.22ppm, 0.14 - 0.30, 0.02 - 0.30ppm, 0.27 - 2.97m/s, 27.17 - 33.20°C and 52.67 - 80.13% respectively. Statistically there were significant variations at p< 0.05 for most of the parameters based on locations, distances, months/seasons and interactions. Health risk assessment revealed noxious gases and particulates were within no pollution (HRA=50) to hazardous pollution (200< HRA≤250). The study showed that sensitive group of people could be mostly affected by air emissions resulting from waste dumpsite in the study area. The meteorological indicators studied (temperature, relative humidity and wind speed) revealed seasonal influence in some of the noxious gases. Hence, there is the need to exercise caution when working in these areas.