“VEHICULAR EMISSION OF CARBON OXIDES AND PERCEPTIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH IN AKURE, METROPOLIS, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research work aims to quantify the concentrations of carbon oxides and the perceived effects on human health. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to ambient pollution, especially in urban areas. Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, presents a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of transport-related pollution because of lack of industry and other major sources of pollution. Pre-test observations of the study locations was done for a month before selecting the sampled areas. These are areas where there are heavy flow (Ilesa-Garage, Oja-Oba, and Alagbaka), and low flow of vehicles (FUTA and Ijapo-Estate). CO2 and CO concentrations were measured in the selected areas. Avergaing of the measured concentrations of carbon oxides at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour and 8 hourly interval was done using easy fit. The study further checked for exceedance of WHO and EPA threshold values. A survey on perceived health status and air quality was also carried out for 650 respondents to link measured concentrations to health effects. Oja-Oba junction has the highest vehicular emission of the sites measured, closely followed by Alagbaka round-about, and the least being at Ijapo-Estate. The reported health problems were very high for respondents in the more densely populated areas than in the less densely populated areas, with 75% (n=265) of individuals residing or working in the densely populated areas listing at least one symptom. The highest prevalence of pollution related disease was reported for dizziness 67% (n=190), followed by headache (66%), and shortness of breath (57%). The lowest prevalence was reported for cardiovascular (3%), asthma attack and respiratory disease (7%). Based on the result in this research, without intervention, it is likely that air quality will only deteriorate as the city continues to grow.