Investigation of No2/No, So2, Co and Volatile Organic Compounds Emission from Solid Waste in Ogbomoso

Emissions from burning of solid waste have been a major source of air pollutions in Ogbomoso Township in the last few years. This research work estimate the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO2/NO), carbon(II)oxide, sulphur (iv) oxide and volatile organic compounds from solid waste in Ogbomoso as a measure of control using the emission factors approach. Determination of the solid waste generation potential using per capita approach was combined with the appropriate emission factors for the estimation. On the average, nylon has the least generation potential with 8.85% while solid (glass, metal, tin and sand) has the highest with 44.825%. These generation potentials increased from 44,073 tonnes/annum in the year 2002 to 63,822.88 tonnes/annum in the year 2011 with the population of 242,167 to 350,627 per capita respectively. However, results obtained from nitrogen oxides (NO2/NO), carbon (II) oxide, sulphur (iv) oxide and volatile organic compounds emissions rate shows an increased trend of 132.22 to 191.47, 1851.3 to 2680.6, 19.3 to 27.1 and 947.58 to 1372.19 tonnes/annum respectively in the year 2002 to 2011. The emission rate of NO/NO2, SO2, CO and volatile organic compounds must be controlled because of their adverse effect on the environment. The controlled could be by converting them for energy production owing to the high calorific value of the solid waste in Ogbomoso. Another controlled technique that can be employed in addition to conversion for energy production is by burning the waste in an incinerator since the solid waste consist of high percentage of combustible materials. Keywords: Emission factor, Solid wast

Air pollution implications of Nigeria's present strategy on improved electricity generation

One of the strategies being developed in Nigeria to increase the presently installed electricity generation of 6159 MW to the required 30,000 MW is the adoption of electric thermal plants. An emission factor approach is used in this paper to study the emission of uncontrolled air pollutants from all the existing and proposed thermal plants in the country. Calculations are performed to study the distribution of carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), particulate matters (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The estimated emissions ranges are 978-24,607, 1635-41,148, 37-924, 19-472, and 11-286 ton/annum for CO, NOX, PM, SO2, and VOCs, respectively. The present locations of these plants across the country are characterized by skewed emission distribution both per capita and across the land. Given the potential environmental and health impacts of these emissions, several measures are suggested to reduce future impacts and assist the country in achieving sustainable development.Emission factor Thermal plant Air pollutants

Particulate matters pollution in selected areas of Nigeria: Spatial analysis and risk assessment

The increasing rate of unregulated emissions of particulate matters from different sources in Nigeria is of great concern. This study therefore focused on monitoring particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10) level in some municipal areas in Nigeria. The study also simulated the dispersion pattern of the particulate matters and assessed the health risk of particulate matter exposure. PM2.5 and PM10 level in the selected areas were quantified for 8 months using Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR) satellite-based sensors. Hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to simulate the dispersion pattern and the dispered particulate matter position. The risk assesment was estimated by air quality index (AQI) using World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for PM2.5 and PM10 as the standard. The result showed that the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 on monthly average basis for the selected areas were all above the WHO guideline. The dispersion model and potential particulate matter position revealed that it takes almost 12 hours for any released particulate matter to be fully dispersed and that majority of the dispersed particles were found within 100 m. The AQI level of PM2.5 ranged from 65.13 to 927.07 while PM10 AQI ranged from 73.51 to 256.65 for the selected regions, which showed poor and unhealthy air quality. Also, the inhabitants of the studied areas are at high risk of particulate matters exposure which may lead to a reduced life expectancy over a long period of exposure. This study however concluded that a more robust measure should be put in place to ensure an improved air quality

Particulate matter pollution from open burning of sawdust in Southwestern Nigeria

The study investigated the annual atmospheric loadings of particulate matter (PM) from open burning of sawdust in southwestern Nigeria using emission factor approach. The estimated annual atmospheric loading of PM from the states ranged between 1.18–8.29 ton/annum while 23.4 ton/annum was obtained for the entire southwestern Nigeria. The maximum per capita and land distribution of the emission were estimated to be 0.844 g/capita and 304.592 g/km2 and these were from Ondo and Lagos States, respectively. The dominant elemental emissions were potassium and sodium with annual atmospheric loadings of 10.4 ton/annum and 10.1 ton/annum, respectively. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury were present in small quantities. Given the possible impacts of the PM emissions on public health, the study suggested waste to energy as an option that could be explored in the region in order to achieve a win–win situation that addresses the solid waste problems and at the same time improving the regions energy mix

Estimation of sulphur dioxide emission from consumption of premium motor spirit and automotive gas oil in Nigeria

This paper estimated the annual levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) from consumption of premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (AGO) across the States and Regions of Nigeria. This was with a view to estimating the per capita and land distributions of emissions. Annual fuel consumption, average fuel sulphur contents and emission factors were combined to estimate the annual levels of SO2. Per capita and land distributions of emissions were then established using population and land area, respectively. Results showed that Lagos and Ogun States had the maximum SO2 emissions from consumption of PMS and AGO, respectively, in 2012. Between 2001 and 2014; most of the SO2 emissions from consumption of PMS and AGO came from the South-western and South-southern regions of the country, respectively. Based on projected future fuel consumption, annual SO2 emissions from utilization of PMS and AGO are projected to further increase over their 2014 estimates. Interim measure suggested for mitigation of SO2 emission is the importation of refined products with highly reduced sulphur contents. Medium to long-term measures include building of more refineries locally to make use of Nigeria’s crude oil which is generally low in sulphur content and a massive improvement in the country’s energy generation so as to lower the demand pressure on refined petroleum products

Personal exposures to particulate matter in various modes of transport in Lagos city, Nigeria

Urban air pollution continues to be a major problem in Nigerian cities. Most studies of air pollution in Nigeria have concentrated on the background air quality and its effects on people outside vehicles. However, it has been suggested that in-vehicle pollution is often worse than pollution outside the vehicle. This study focuses on personal exposures to PM10 and PM2.5 in various modes of transportation in Lagos city. Six roadways which are representative of commercial, industrial, and residential areas of the city were selected. Measurements were made inside four major modes of transportation in the city: cars, buses, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and walking for PM10 and PM2.5. Measurements were done for each mode twice a day (morning and afternoon) for 12 days. The highest average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured for pedestrian (476.35 and 216.60 μg/m3, respectively) during rush hours. The result showed that pedestrians were found to be exposed to the highest average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, while commuters in cars, BRT and buses were exposed to respective decreasing concentrations of PM10. Similarly, commuters in BRT were exposed to the lowest concentrations of PM2.5 regardless of time of day. The results obtained were much higher than the results for London but comparable to Mexico city and Taiwan’s results. This study has provided information that can help commuters to choose appropriate travel behavior that can minimize their exposure to particulate matter

Assessment of the effects of air pollution using road-side roasted meats (Suya) as indicators

The Suya meat samples sold in the open market, roadsides and motor parks were collected from four towns in Southwestern Nigeria. The meat was investigated as a potential bioindicator of metal exposure to humans in an urban environment. These were pulverized, digested then analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) technique to determine the concentrations of five elements (Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Cu). Iron has the highest concentrations in the range of 102 and 406 mg/kg while Mn has the least values: 4.80-15.4 mg/kg. The results show that even though meat is a rich source of essential and beneficial minerals required for healthy growth, excesses of these metals may be ingested from Suya; sources which include wood smoke, street dusts, and vehicular emissions and debris from automobile break parts are the identified origins of some of these excesses. Analysis of certified standard reference material IAEA-V-10 Hay (powder) was carried out to assure accuracy and precision of the technique. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC