ASSESSMENT OF AIR QUALITY AROUND A CEMENT FACTORY IN OGUN STATE

OJN Preprints | Bioscience Research| OJNPPbr20071501 > This version is not peer-reviewed

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the air quality around Lafarge Cement Company in Ogun state with particular emphasis on the concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM) viz inhalable sizes (PM0.3, PM2.0 and PM10) and gaseous pollutants such as Carbon monoxide (CO), Sulphur oxide (SO), Nitrogen oxide (NO), Ammonia (NH3), Oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Sampling was carried out around the cement factory from the starting point (in meters) 0-10 m, 10-20 m, 20-30 m, 40 m, 50m, 60m,70 m, 80 m, 90 m, 100 m and 150 m respectively. The samplers used were Stacked Gent sampler (particulate matters), Tetra multi-gas monitor (CO, NH3 and H2S), Multi gas meter, Land Duo (NO2 and O2), BW, Model 0539, gas alert (SO2), CET-DT 805 (Noise level) and Gas Alert Micro5 PID meter (VOC).Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance, Test of significance of the means was by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) and Pearson correlation. The concentrations of gaseous pollutants and Particulate Matter (PM) were compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigerian Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). 

The results showed low levels of concentrations of carbon oxides while the concentrations PM were above the WHO Guidelines. The concentrations of particulate matter PM0.3, PM2.0 and PM10 varied respectively between 141147?g/m3, 2919 ?g/m3 and 171.0?g/m3in first week, while 40514 ?g/m3, 1150 ?g/m3 and 27 ?g/m3in second week and 117327 ?g/m3, 653 ?g/m3 and 0?g/m3in third week respectively. The temperature, relative humidity and wind speed measured in all the sampling stations were below the maximum standard. The concentrations of CO, VOC, H2S, SO2 and O2 were also found to be below NAAQS and WHO maximum limit. The concentrations of PMs at all the stations exceeded WHO and NAAQS guideline values which stipulates a range of 10.00?g/m3 to 20.00?g/m3 for a 24-hourly average. Significant concentrations (p<.05) of PM0.3, PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2,NH3, O2, Noise, Relative Humidity, Wind speedand H2S were observed around Cement Company. Also higher concentration of pollutant was observed in PM0.3 (141147µg/m3), PM2.5(2919 µg/m3), PM10 (171 µg/m3) and Noiselevel recorded was (77.2 dBA). The quality of air around the cement industries need to be regularly monitored to ensure compliance with recommended regulations.

How to Cite:

Soyebo, T. A. and Sowunmi, K. (2020). Assessment of Air Quality Around a Cement Factory in Ogun State. OJN Preprints, OJNPPbr20071501 (v1)1-18