Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October | Volume: 10 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 86-95
Assessment of Air Quality in Major Motor Parks in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria
Salami J.T, Sawyerr H.O, Dada A.A
Department of Environmental Health Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Salami J.T
ABSTRACT
Air pollution monitoring is particularly at low level in Africa. The study assessed the ambient air quality (VOC, H2S, CO, PM2.5, PM10, O2, LEL, and HCHO) at five major motor parks in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Samples were taken from three points in each motor parks in the morning, afternoon and evening between 6.00am and 6.00pm for a period of four weeks. The coordinates of sampling points were taken with a Garmin Dakota 20 device. Hand held mobile multi-gas monitor with model AS8900 was used to assess the concentrations of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S,), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Oxygen (O2), Combustible (LEL) while BLATN with model BR – Smart Series air quality monitor was used to assess the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) PM2.5 and PM10, Formaldehyde (HCHO) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).Wind speed, Temperature and Relative Humidity were assessed using a handheld digital anemometer TL-300. Data were analysed using tables, maps, correlation matrix and Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Result revealed exceedance of Combustible LEL levels across the motor parks to permissible limits of Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEV) but lower than WHO limit. The VOC concentration in New-Shao garage exceeded the recommended limit for both FMEV and WHO, the concentrations of other parameters across the motor parks were lower and within the set limits of FMEV and WHO. In terms of Air Quality Index (AQI) rating, the air quality for CO across the motor parks was good and safe. The AQI for PM2.5 across the motor parks were unhealthy for sensitive groups while PM2.5 at Sawmill garage Motor Park most likely to have unhealthy health effects. The AQI for PM10 is good for Offa garage Motor Park while it was moderate for the remaining motor parks. The air quality of the study area is polluted due to particulate pollution. The quality of air around the motor parks needs to be regularly monitored to ensure compliance to recommended regulations.
Key words: Ambient air quality, Pollution monitoring, Particulate Matter, Motor parks, Air pollution