SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF GASEOUS POLLUTANTS (PM2.5, PM10 SO2, NO2, CO2, CO) ON AIR QUALITY USING AIR QUALITY INDEX NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

In response to the alarming rate of air pollution, a study was carried out at Savannah Sugar Company, Ashaka Cement Plc, and Alkaleri Kaolin Industry in North Eastern Nigeria with the following objectives: to assess the amount of hazardous substances in the atmosphere, to examine the impact of industrial activities on air quality, and to compare the overall results of the air quality assessment with the air quality index (AQI) rating. The Air Ae Steward Meter (Haz-Dust Tm; PM2.5 and PM10, Model: HD1000) and Gasman Air Monitoring Meter (Models 1200-19831) were used to evaluate the air quality state of the studied sites. In the industrial districts, the findings of the air quality assessment were examined according to the following ranges: SO₂ (0.665-0.680), NO₂ (0.30-0.315), CO (35.88-36.84), and CO₂ (8125.78-8707.94). The ranges for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were 104.02-126.03µg/m³ and 138.43-161.10µg/m³, respectively. The results showed that Ashaka had the highest concentrations in all the parameters due to some heavy equipment’s with more anthropogenic activities. The air quality Index (AQI) ratings of the obtained results showed that, in the three emerging industrial sites indicated a category for ‘Unhealthy for sensitive group’ (Orange) to ‘Unhealthy’ (Red) for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ while for CO was rated Good (Green), NO₂ and SO₂ was rated Moderate (Yellow) and CO₂ was rated hazardous (Maroon). There is need for a routine monitoring of the air quality in Northern part of Nigeria and in Nigeria as a whole to ensure safety, and a few helpful recommendations were suggested in this study for positive impacts on the environment.