COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER IN UNIVERSITIES IN PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER IN UNIVERSITIES IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: Air pollution is a major concern in Nigeria, the levels of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5) in the educational environment has not yet been studied intensively in Nigeria, This is a study on the assessment of particulate matter concentration in three universities in River State( University of Port Harcourt choba, River State University of Science and Technology, Ignastus Ajuru University of Education) and its implications on the public health based on set limits evaluated, The concentrations of particulate matter and meteorological data were measured for a period of 4 months, July, August, September, October, two days for each month were used to cover 10 points in each University. The parameters studied were PM2.5, PM10, TVOC, HCHO, temperature, humidity, and air quality index,  to increase the accuracy of the readings at each point, samples were collected using a multifunction Air Quality Monitor Gas Analyzer/ Detector. the instrument was left to read for continually for five minutes(5 mins). The study revealed that the cause/ source of these particulate pollutants was due to anthropogenic activities taking place in the environment such as moving vehicles emitting carbon monoxide, construction of new buildings and roads, emission of fumes from generators. Study which showed that locations with lower PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations had good air quality ratings while those with higher concentrations had moderate to unhealthy air quality ratings.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Although the rate of population growth in the world has reduced compared to the 1950s due to a reduction in fertility, the world population continues to grow. The world population is projected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100. Sub-Saharan African countries could account for more than half of the growth projection (UN, 2019). Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and, therefore, will lead to the population growth projection. The most populated areas in Nigeria are the cities and this is due to industrialization and urbanization which leads to migration (NBS, 2018).

Consequently, industrialization and urbanization in the cities of Nigeria have led to an increase in the release of pollutants into the environment. This is because urbanization and industrialization lead to an increase in construction to accommodate the teeming population and, number of vehicles and an increase in the burning of fossil fuels. These pollutants are released both in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and can cause harm to human health(Iwegbue et al., 2018; Thompson et al., 2017). Therefore, the quality of living in these cities reduce with an increase in population as a result of increasing environmental pollutants.

Although air pollution affects all regions of the world, residents of low-income cities are the most impacted (WHO, 2016). According to the latest air quality database, 97% of cities in low- and middle- income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines. However, in high-income countries, that percentage decreases to 49%. Declining air quality increases the risk of health defects such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma. It is estimated that 91% of the world’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits (WHO, 2016). Therefore, it is safe to say that the risk to human health due to poor air quality is high in cities in Nigeria, especially in places with high human activities.

Outdoor air pollution impact on health and the environment has been linked to atmospheric concentrations of fine and coarse shares of particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O₃) and other pollutants such as NO₂ and SO₂ (OECD, 2016). Particulate matter (PM) is usually used to describe tiny particles that are found in the air. They are found in the atmosphere as by-products of the chemical reaction of pollutants. These are also referred to as the condensed phases in the air. They include dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Some of these particles are large enough to be seen, while others can only be seen with a microscope. They are generated through either anthropogenic sources (sulphates, nitrates, ammonia, carbon, lead, and organics) or natural sources (soil, dust, sea salt, and bioaerosol) (OECD, 2016).

There is always a background concentration of ozone in the atmosphere, however, there are varying concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere depending on the region and anthropogenic activities taking place. Climatic conditions affect the atmospheric concentration of PM. For instance, an increase in precipitation reduces the concentration of PM in the atmosphere, while sunlight increases the concentration of ozone (OECD, 2016).

Statement of the Problem

The increasing population in the City of Port Harcourt, in addition to the anthropogenic activities taking place, will affect the air quality. This will also lead to health risks for that resident, students, and workers. It is, therefore, necessary to monitor the air quality in the universities where students from around the country come together to study.

Hypothesis

• There is a statistically significant difference in air quality parameters measured across the three universities

Null Hypothesis

• There is NO statistically significant difference in air quality parameters measured across the three universities

Aim and Objectives

• The aim of this study is to investigate the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 in three universities in port harcourt (the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, and Ignatius Ajuru University).

The specific objectives of this research are to;

• Assess the air quality index of these there universities
• Ascertain the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 in the air of these universities
• To know the real cause of these fine particles in the air.

Limitation of the study

The main limitation of this study is time; this is because a study such as this should be carried out consistently over a period of 24 months to observe proper changes and comparisons. For proper comparison, the air quality should be measured at the same time at different locations (simultaneously), but this was not possible. The time it took to record one reading (5min) made it impossible to examine the 10 locations in the 3 universities on the same day.

 Study Area

The study areas in this project are located within and around the City of Port Harcourt. Port Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State in southern Nigeria. the City was founded in 1912 in an area traditionally inhabited by the Ikwerre and Ijaw people.

The City is now one of the largest ports in Nigeria. It is one of Nigeria´s leading industrial cities. The Trans-Amadi Industrial Estate, 4 miles (6 km) north, is a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) site where tires, aluminum products, glass bottles, and paper are manufactured. The town also manufactures steel structural products, corrugated tin, paints, plastics, enamelware, wood and metal furniture, cement, concrete products, and several other goods. Nigeria’s first oil refinery (1965) is at Alesa-Eleme, 12 miles (19 km) southeast. Pipelines carry oil and natural gas to Port Harcourt (where there also is a refinery) and to the port of Bonny, 25 miles (40 km) south-southeast, and refined oil to Makurdi in Benue state (Augustyn et al., 2019).

Port Harcourt is the starting point of the eastern branch of the Nigerian Railways mainline and also of the trunk highway network serving eastern Nigeria. There is an international airport located 7 miles (11 km) north. Pop. (2016 est.) urban agglom., 2,075,000 (Augustyn et al., 2019; Population city, 2015).

The University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) (4°54’24.8″N 6°54’53.3″E), Rivers State University (RSU) (4°47’47.6″N 6°58’42.1″E), and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (UOE) (4°48’18.8″N 6°55’52.0″E) are the three major universities that serve the city of Port Harcourt.  Of the three universities, the Uniport is the largest in population having an estimated population of 55,000 and covering three campuses; Choba, Abuja, and Delta campuses. RSU is the second-highest in population with an estimated population of 22,000, while UOE has the least population (Otto & Ukpere, 2014; Yakubu, 2018).

Figure 1.1 Port Harcourt showing three universities of study