Levels of fungi aerosols in residential houses in Benin City, Southern Nigeria

Lack of monitoring residential homes for fungi contamination, has reportedly resulted in various health outcomes in vulnerable occupants. This study assessed the level of indoor and outdoor airborne fungi contamination and reveal the identity of air borne fungi species in the study area. Forty-five households were randomly selected across the five local council areas in Benin city for airborne sampling. Airborne fungi were assessed bimonthly using the passive sampling technique. Discrete colonies of fungi were enumerated and mean values of triplicate concentrations were expressed in Colony forming unit / m3 (CFU/m3) Airborne fungi isolates were characterized and identified using standard procedures. The mean indoor and outdoor meteorological parameters ranged between 31.2 to 32.3°C and 31.1 to 32.5°C (Temperature); 71.6 to 74.1% and 63.0 to 74.1% (Relative humidity) respectively. The fungi concentrations varied from 301.0 to 747.1 CFU/m3 and 337.67 to 554.6 CFU/m3 (indoor); 223.8 to 450.4 CFU/m3 and 378.64 to 532.7 CFU/m3 (outdoor) in wet and dry seasons. The prevalent fungi genera isolated from the indoor and outdoor air across the sampling sites were Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus. The outdoor fungi concentrations showed a significant association (R = 0.360 and 0.260; R2 = 0.130 and 0.032; p< 0.01) with indoor fungi concentrations in both seasons. The study revealed high airborne fungi counts and fungi species of public health interest in the houses. Regular cleaning and maintenance practices to reduce the increasing effect of fungi spores is highly recommended

LEVELS, TRENDS AND EXPOSURE DOSES OF NOISE EMITTED BY SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISES IN ABEOKUTA, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Monitoring of noise levels and their impact are common in large scale and corporate industrial establishments while the small scale industries have not received sufficient attention. Consequently, the present study examined the levels and pattern of noise emission from small-scale enterprises that are generally ignored from compliance monitoring of the relevant agencies. The study utilises the results of noise emission quantification, determination of safe distance to the selected small-scale enterprises and impact on human as input for noise policy formulation. Three types of small-scale enterprises sampled from seventy-five (75) sites in Abeokuta were selected for noise measurement using a portable noise meter. Questionnaire and field observation were employed to assess the impact of noise on machine operators and their apprentices. Mean noise emission from the aluminum slitting machines ranged from 103.9 – 118.4 d(BA), iron welding machines; 97.0 – 108.8 d(BA) and food grinding machines; 91.6 to 108.2 d(BA). Daily Noise Dose (DND) from these three types of machine workshops were 800 – 19230% (aluminum slitter), 200 – 2400% (iron welder), and 100 – 3305% (food grinder). Time Weighted Average (TWA) for 8 hours noise exposure values were 94.0 – 107.8, 88.0 – 98.8 and 85.0 – 100.2 respectively. The spatial dimension of noise emission from the studied machines showed that acceptable levels were obtained at 20 meters from the machines sites. As predictors of variations in noise emission, the age of the machines explained 8.3 – 13.6%, 17.2 – 17.8% and 29.1 – 55.4% of noise emitted by food grinders, aluminum slitters and iron welders. The capacities of the studied machines predicted 7.9 – 13.5%, 18.4 – 30.5 and 43.9 – 56.3% of the noise emitted by iron welders, aluminum slitter and food grinders respectively. While the noise levels at the sites of the machines were significantly higher than the permissible limit, 25% of the workers were exposed for upwards of 10 hours daily and 30% for more than five years. The array of health problems; stress, dizziness, tinnitus, sleep disturbance and speech interference, experienced by the machines operators may not be unconnected to their non-use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to minimize noise hazard. Policy formulation for public protection from noise pollution should prescribe limit for small scale enterprises, enforce noise level compliance, monitor wearing of appropriate PPE by machine operators and maintained a minimum of 20 meters between the sites of these machines and other human activities.        &nbsp

Indoor Air Pollution and Health Risks among Rural Dwellers in Odeda Area, South-Western Nigeria

This study monitored the concentration of five greenhouse gases and examined the health outcome among the exposed rural residents. A total of 15 villages were randomly selected from the list of villages without electricity supply in Odeda local government area, Ogun State (southwestern Nigeria). Gasman auto sampler was used to monitor indoor air quality in houses selected through systematic random sampling. Air monitoring was observed in replicates over a period of three months. In order to elicit information on energy utilization and occurrence of air pollution related health problems among the rural dwellers, one questionnaire was administered to a male or female household head in each selected house. Due to absence of reliable health records in the area, recall method was used collect information on the health problems treated and or experienced by village dwellers. The mean values of SO2, NO2, CO, H2S and CH4 are 0.05±0.005, 0.21±0.013, 82.5±1.98, 0.15±0.009 and 0.15±0.01 among the fifteen villages. Although there were no significant variations in the concentration of these gases among the villages, they were all above the recommended National Ambient Air standards. The trend of indoor air pollution may not be unconnected with 83.3 percent of the residents depending on fuel-wood for energy supply. Overall, more than one-quarter of the residents cook within their dwelling units. Prevalent health problems among the residents included sneezing (44%), nausea(34%), headache (34%), dizziness (31.1%), eye irritation (23.3%), and catarrh (24%) among others. These health problems are largely consequences of human exposure to high concentration of gaseous pollutants in the air. Intervention to control rural indoor air pollution requires urgent attention so as to preserve the health of teeming rural inhabitants and safeguard the overall environment.Key words: Indoor environment, air quality, rural health, fuel-woo

Influence of meteorologyparameters on pulmonary Tuberculosis morbidity in two Eco-climatic zones in Nigeria

Weinvestigated the influence of weather parameters on the morbidity pattern of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the rain-forest (Ile-Ife)and guinea savanna (Ilorin) zonesof Nigeria. Retrospective clinic data on PTB (1996- 2006) were collected from major hospitals in the zones while weather data (1996-2006) were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological agency. The highest reported cases of PTB were found in age-group 20-29 at Ile-Ife (19%) and Ilorin (27%).Gender distribution showed more casesamong malesinthetwo zones. More PTB cases were reported during wet season I and II at Ile-Ife while at Ilorin, wet season I and short dry season had higher concentration of cases. Periods of high PTB reporting at Ile-Ife associated with low ambient temperature, high relative humidity and wind speed. At Ilorin, periods of high PTB cases were characterised by low temperature and wind speed. Early onset of rains in the forest zone was linked with high PTB reporting during intense rainy period, characterised by high wind speed while high cases reporting was in the later phase of rains with low wind speed in the savanna zone. Intervention strategies for PTB control should therefore be sensitive to seasonal characteristics of locations for optimum outcomes. Keywords: Tuberculosis, eco-health, respiratory diseases, weather parameters, associative analysi

Spatial Analysis of Environmental Noise and Auditory Health of Abeokuta Residents, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study assessed environmental noise levels, mapped the spatial pattern at different times of the day and examined the association with morbidity of auditory ailments in Abeokuta metropolis. The entire metropolis was divided into 80 cells (areas) of 1000 m2 ; out of which 33 were randomly selected for noise levels assessment. Portable noise meter (AR824) was used to measure noise level and Global Positioning System (Garmin GPS-72H) was employed to take the coordinates of the sample sites for mapping. Risk map of the noise levels were produced using Kriging interpolation techniques based on the spatial spread of measured noise values across the study area. Data on cases of hearing impairments were collected from four major hospitals in the city. Data collected from field measurements and medical records were subjected to descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential (Mean, ANOVA and correlation) statistics using SPSS (version 20.0). ArcMap 10.1 was employed for spatial analysis and mapping. Results showed mean noise levels range at morning (42.4±4.14 – 88.2±15.1 dBA), afternoon (45.0±6.72– 86.4±12.5 dBA) and evening (51.0±6.55–84.4±5.19 dBA) across the study area. The interpolated maps identified Kuto, Okelowo, Isale-Igbein and Sapon as high noise risk areas. The monitored noise levels varied significantly among the sampled areas at morning, afternoon and evening (p <0.05). Significant correlation was found between diagnosed cases of auditory ailments and noise levels measured in the morning (r=0.39 at p<0.05). Common auditory ailments found across the metropolis included impaired hearing (25.8%), tinnitus (16.4%) and otitis (15.0%) respectively.Keywords: Abeokuta metropolis, Noise, spatial pattern, auditory impairment

Dual Perspective to Child’s Wholeness

child s wholeness is argued to be essential to the child becoming a productive citizen However when measured by the spiritual academic moral and emotional wholeness appear to have maintained a steady decline Therefore the paper investigated the role of parental presence and parenting practices on child s wholeness The cross-sectional survey research design was adopted through a validated structured questionnaire A purposive random sampling technique was applied to select 87 married people at Babcock University Ogun State Nigeria The data gathered were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics Multiple regression results revealed that parental presence and parenting practices had a positive significant effect on child s wholeness Adj R2 0 396 F 2 84 27 549 p 0 05 and the artificial neural network analysis showed parenting practices as the best predicto

Effectiveness of mediation in the resolution of environmental complaints against the activities of gold mining industries in the Witwatersrand region

In the Witwatersrand gold mining area, there have been recurring public complaints about dust dispersed from gold tailings storage facilities (TSFs) that traverse the landscape. Although weather aggravates the frequency and intensity of dust emission from TSFs in the study area, the rapid conversion of buffer areas around the dumps to residential land–use is exposing more people to dust hazards. This study assessed the effectiveness of Crown Mines Dust Monitoring forum in Johannesburg as an alternative environmental dispute resolution mechanism. Records of complaints from 1995 to 2010 that were made available through the forum were collated and analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics. Within the study period, complaints about mine pollution were more frequent between August and October, i.e. the dry months. More than 70% of the complaints were made by companies whose properties, operations and employees were affected by dust emission from the TSFs. While 52% of the complainants reported pollution problems for the first time within the study period, other cases were follow-up to previous complaints. Mining companies responded to 31% of the public’s grievances about dust pollution from their facilities within one week and another 12% in two weeks; response to the remaining complaints took much longer time. As part of mines’ response to public complaints, site visits were organised to indicted facilities, and pollution control measures and mitigation plan adopted at sites were also explained. Moreover, additional control measures were installed in critical circumstances to ameliorate dust pollution. Only a few of the complaints reported to the forum escalated to litigation or issuance of penalty by government agency. Although, the forum provided an avenue for resolution of environmental conflicts in a pragmatic and mutually beneficial manner, the right of the public to a clean environment is still not being realised fully

Seasonal Variations of pH and Heavy Metals Content in Soil of Selected Housing Estates in Ogun State, Nigeria

There is a necessity to assess soil properties with the view to determining soil qualities relative to pollution and sustainability of ecosystem functions and plant productivity regardless of the scale. Soil samples (six points per site at 0-15 cm depth) from six selected housing estates across Ogun State were assessed for soil pH and heavy metals pollution in two dry and rainy seasons. The soil samples were digested using standard methods and analysed for seven selected metals: Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd using AAS. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Concentrations (mg/ kg) of the analysed metals were observed to vary from the lowest in the 2nd rainy season to the highest in 1st dry season respectively as Pb: 3.57 ± 0.02 to 39.87±0.47, Cd: 0.32±0.03 to 2.65±1.02, Mg: 11.94 ± 0.76 to 204.50 ± 15.02, Fe: 22.79 ± 0.45 to 303.50±16.52, Cu: 0.95±0.21 to 6.02±1.12, Zn: 0.12 ± 0.04 to 12.75±0.68, and Ni: 2.38 ± 0.33 to 33.89±0.37. There were indications that the soil samples were comparatively less polluted in the rainy seasons.Key words: soil qualities, ecosystem function, dry and rainy seasons, Nigeri

Indoor Air Quality of Beauty Salons in Commercial and Residential Areas of Camp, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Growing increase of beauty salons and exposure to associated chemical substances present serious concern of chemical hazards and health problems. This study assessed indoor air quality (IAQ) of selected beauty salons in commercial and residential areas of Camp settlement in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria using Aeroqual GasSensing Monitor and WindMate® Weather Station. Human thermal sensation (HTS) was computed using Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) Indices. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed TVOC exceeded permissible exposure limit (0.2 mg/m3) in all salons and critical safe level (2500 ppm) for CO2 was exceeded in one-third. Exceedance was observed in less than one-third of salons for P.M2.5 and P.M10, due to varying activities taking place per time, and location differences. Where detected, H2S was below permissible limit (1.4 mg/m3). HTS was above the acceptable thermal comfort levels (PMV: ±0.5; PPD: <10%) in all salons. Generally, the IAQ indicates prevalence of inadequate ventilation, and portends increased exposure risk to hazardous chemical substances associated with salon activities. Therefore, formulation of policy, stipulating minimum operating standards and enforcement, alongside enlightenment campaign are necessary to promote human safety and prevent escalation of chemical related hazards in salons.