Environmental Pollution and Protection

Number 1, 2018

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Spatial-Temporal Variability and Characterisation of Aerosols in Urban Air Quality of Ahmedabad, India, based on Field and Satellite Data

Authors: Rajesh Iyer, Abha Chhabra, Prakash Chauhan, Tejas Turakhia, Mohit Porwal, Divya Patel

Abstract

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Particulate matter (PM), or aerosol play an important role in Air Quality. Ahmedabad is an urban, industrialized and one of the fastest growing city in Western India. This study presents spatio-temporal variability in mass concentrations of different Particulate Matter as well as their characteristics during different seasons based on field measurements in different micro urban environments of Ahmedabad. The meteorological parameters such as wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure played a very important role in the seasonal variation of the PM concentrations. The PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were found to be highest with 229.4 μg/m3, 82.20 μg/m3 and 53.53 μg/m3, respectively in winter season. These PM concentrations are higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM10 and PM2.5. The aerosol characteristic based on field measurement of spectral Aerosol Optical Depth indicates significant contribution by coarser mode particles. The Inhalable, Thoracic and Alveolic PM concentrations which are significant for human health impacts of ambient air quality were observed in the increasing order of monsoon

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Acoustic Over-Exposure versus Human Health: A Case Study of Dangote Flour Mill, Calabar, Cross River State

Authors: Obiefuna, J. N, Kubua J. B, Obiefuna, C. J

Abstract

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Number of views: 614

This research investigated the effects of industrial noise pollution on the health of staff members in Dangote Flour Mills, Calabar. Two hypotheses were formulated in null forms and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Noise data was collected using a sound level meter. Sound level readings were taken at different temporal periods of morning, afternoon and evening. Questionnaire was also administered to elicit relevant data on impact/perception. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient. The finding revealed that there is a significant variation between noise level at different temporal periods in Dangote flour mills. Besides, there is also a significant effect of high noise level on the health status of members of staff. Based on these findings, appropriate recommendations were made which include that the federal and state governments should enforce policies against certain level of noise pollution in industries in the state. The management of the company should ensure that the WHO regulations on industrial noise pollution are implemented and adhered to within the working environment. Workers and/or staff of the company should wear ear protective devices to reduce the effect of the noise on them. Finally, it was also recommended that the management of the company should endeavour to get machines with the least noise level when making purchases of equipments for processing in order to reduce the effect of noise on the workers.