Reviewing the local and global implications of air pollution trends in Zaria, northern Nigeria

Abstract

Highlights• Pioneer outdoor air pollution time-series data for a Nigerian city • Validates MSA Altair 5× gas detector and CW-HAT200 particulate counter.• Alarming outdoor pollution measurements • A candidate into the list of World's most polluted cities is revealed. AbstractAir pollution is an unnoticed problem in many Nigerian urban cities. This is mainly attributed to the usage of power generating sets, indiscriminate refuse burning, biomass consumption and import/recycle of timeworn automobiles, which dominates the Nigerian automobile fleet. Reduced economic infrastructure and the Nigerian climate, are a major factor for the dense outdoor population activities. This is contributing to the increasing population health risk resulting from pollution exposure. Literature on the seasonal spatial-temporal distribution of air pollutants within Nigerian urban cities is presently scanty. This study evaluates the local and global implications of air pollution trends in northern Nigeria's educational hub. The study utilized validated costeffective devices (MSA Altair 5x gas detector and the CW-HAT200 particulate counter) to assess the outdoor air quality in Zaria. The findings revealed the one-year day-time weighted average concentration level for CO, SO2 PM2.5 and PM10 as 29.22 ppm, 0.32 ppm, 219.73 and 451.96 µgm -3 respectively. These concentration levels were above the locally and globally stipulated air quality indices. In particular, the concentration levels of the particulate matter pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10) were high enough to place Zaria amongst the World Health Organization's list of polluted cities. We are optimistic that our findings would instigate Nigerian policy makers to take decisive steps for air quality management across its cities.

Environmental health situation in Nigeria: current status and future needs

“…This result indicates a significant concern [ 51 , 52 ] observing ambient particulate matter pollution had a sharp shoot of associated deaths in 2012 ( Figure 4 d) and DALYs in 2015 ( Figure 5 c), both with minimal changes till 2017. Ambient air pollution is a top risk factor responsible for reducing longevity in global GBD ranking [ 20 , 53 ], likewise in Nigeria. Studies showed an increase in the outdoor air pollution level in Nigeria, mainly from anthropogenic sources in the urban cities, summing up to more exposure to the population in such urban areas [ 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Ambient air pollution is a top risk factor responsible for reducing longevity in global GBD ranking [ 20 , 53 ], likewise in Nigeria. Studies showed an increase in the outdoor air pollution level in Nigeria, mainly from anthropogenic sources in the urban cities, summing up to more exposure to the population in such urban areas [ 53 , 54 ]. Global average life expectancy is between 60-70years; however, in Nigeria, it is reported to be 54.4yers according to WHO [ 55 ].…”

A Scoping Review on Air Quality Monitoring, Policy and Health in West African Cities

“…Although often studied as a separate phenomenon, especially when it comes to its health effects, indoor air-polluting activities also contribute a great deal to the overall urban ambient air quality [ID3]. This effect is strongest in lower-income neighborhoods of ECOWAS cities, such as Accra (Ghana), where indoor cooking from wood or coal and heating activities that produce emissions are a common feature of domestic life [46,47]…”

“…Regarding Nigeria, Aliyu and Botai [47] state that the monitoring network is "scantily distributed", which implies there are stations, but their location or functionality is not mentioned. Another study [17] shows a figure where two Federal Ministry of the Environment sampling sites are located, in the Rivers State cities of Peter Odili and Abuloma, near Port Harcourt.…”

“…Environmental legislation continued during the decades that followed, culminating in the creation of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in 1988. Already in 1991, National Air Quality Standards were promulgated through this institution, but there were no guidelines for PM 2.5 [45,47]. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 1992 was also an important step that would push industries to conduct environmental impact assessments in order to ensure compliance with environmental regulations [17].…”