Air quality assessment along a landfill site in Uyo

Air quality assessment along a landfill site was carried out in Uyo using stratified sampling method. Spatially, the landfill site had the highest concentrations of SO2 (0.26±0.15 ppm), NO2 (0.24±0.14 ppm), CO (4.01±0.35 ppm), NH3 (6.25±0.97 ppm), H2S (0.55±0.01 ppm), HCN (1.23±0.21 ppm), PM2.5 (75.50±13.50 μg/m3) and PM10 (128.50±28.50 μg/m3). TVOC (2.67±0.09 ppm) and CH2O (0.37±0.02 ppm) were highest at Ibaoku Community; Cl2 (0.41±0.01 ppm) was highest at Ibaoku Junction. Temperature ranged between 25.5ºC to 26.5ºC, relative humidity varied between 76.50% and 77.50% while wind speed varied between 0.47m/s and 1.53 m/s. Diurnally, SO2 (0.24±0.08 ppm), NO2 (0.18±0.06 ppm), CO (2.86±0.69 ppm), NH3 (3.81±1.17 ppm), Cl2 (0.30±0.08 ppm), PM2.5 (61.00±9.53μg/m3) and PM10 (106.00±17.15 ppm) were higher in the evening. H2S (0.28±0.09 ppm), HCN (1.13±0.06 ppm), TVOC (2.13±0.43 ppm) and CH2O (0.29±0.06 ppm) were higher in the morning. Temperature (27.75ºC) and wind speed (1.36±0.53 m/s) were higher in the evening while high relative humidity (79.75±0.48%) was observed in the morning. Air quality index showed good (minimal) concentrations of NO2, SO2 and CO in all locations while concentrations of particulate matters were unhealthy (PM2.5) or moderate (PM10). These results have implications in air pollution monitoring, providing baseline information in monitoring future trends of air pollutants in this region

Adaptation of the rubber bandage for safe use as tourniquet

The safety of the pneumatic tourniquet lies in the fact that the pressure generated beneath it can be determined and is reproducible unlike the rubber bandage tourniquet with subjective and irreproducible tissue pressure. Application of the rubber bandage over the cuff of an aneroid sphygmomanometer enabled direct determination of tourniquet pressure in sixty-four patients with associated low rate of tourniquet related complications. Seventy-eight limbs, in sixty-four patients, were operated using this composite tourniquet and evaluation after surgery as well as out-patients' clinic follow-up for tourniquet complications revealed complications in six out of eight patients in whom the tourniquet time exceeded 120minutes. In conclusion, the inclusion of an aneroid sphygmomanometer to record tourniquet pressure enhanced the safety of the rubber bandage tourniquet in our study and offers an alternative to the pneumatic type in the attainment of bloodless field where the latter is unavailable

Assessment of Air Quality and Meteorological Variables in Lower Stubbs Creek, Qua Iboe River Estuary, Nigeria

The assessment of air quality and meteorological variables in Lower Stubbs Creek, Qua Iboe River Estuary, Nigeria was carried out using portable hand held gas monitors for atmospheric gases and hygrometer, thermometer, anemometer and digital compass for relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and wind direction. Parameters measured were SO2, NO2, H2S, CO, NH3, Cl2, HCN, PM2.5, PM10, relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and wind direction. The results for the atmospheric gases followed this decreasing magnitude; PM10 (110.35 µ/m3) > PM2.5 (55.66 µ/m3) > CO (19.00 ppm) > NH3 (5.86 ppm) > HCN (1.41 ppm) > H2S (0.77 ppm) > Cl2 (0.47 ppm) > NO2 (0.28 ppm) > SO2 (0.26 ppm). For the meteorological variables, the mean values for temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were 25.86 ºC, 67.71 % and 1.17 m/s. The predominant wind direction was the North Easterly winds. The result for the air quality using 5 criteria pollutants showed that NO2, SO2 had Air Quality Index (AQI) values of 0 each, while CO, PM2.5 and PM10 had AQI values of 224, 151 and 78, respectively. Based on the air quality ratings, the average concentrations of NO2, and SO2 in the atmosphere were good while the concentrations of CO, PM2.5 and PM10 were very unhealthy, unhealthy and moderate, respectively. This study shows that this region is polluted with CO and particulate matters, hence requires prompt intervention plans and consistent monitoring

Adaptation of the rubber bandage for safe use as tourniquet

The safety of the pneumatic tourniquet lies in the fact that the pressure generated beneath it can be determined and is reproducible unlike the rubber bandage tourniquet with subjective and irreproducible tissue pressure. Application of the rubber bandage over the cuff of an aneroid sphygmomanometer enabled direct determination of tourniquet pressure in sixty-four patients with associated low rate of tourniquet related complications. Seventy-eight limbs, in sixty-four patients, were operated using this composite tourniquet and evaluation after surgery as well as out-patients' clinic follow-up for tourniquet complications revealed complications in six out of eight patients in whom the tourniquet time exceeded 120minutes. In conclusion, the inclusion of an aneroid sphygmomanometer to record tourniquet pressure enhanced the safety of the rubber bandage tourniquet in our study and offers an alternative to the pneumatic type in the attainment of bloodless field where the latter is unavailable