A cement factory nearby communities raise pollution concerns. This study assessed air pollution levels for respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals (lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc and cop...A cement factory nearby communities raise pollution concerns. This study assessed air pollution levels for respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals (lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc and copper) adjacent to a cement factory in Ewekoro and neighbouring communities (Papalantoro, Lapeleko and Itori) in Ogun State, Nigeria. Respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals were measured using an ARA N-FRM cassette sampler. Each location sampled was monitored for eight continuous hours daily for 12 days. The PM2.5, PM10 and heavy metals results were compared with different standards, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria’s National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). The PM levels fell within 11 - 19 μg/m3 of the air management level of CAAQS, which signifies continuous actions are needed to improve air quality in the areas monitored but below the NESREA standard. The mean Cd, Cr and Ni concentrations in the cement factory area and the impacted neighbourhoods are higher than the WHO/EU permissible limits, while Zn and Cu were below the WHO/EU permissible limit. A risk assessment hazard quotient (HQ) for Cr was above the WHO/EU safe level (=1) in adults and children throµgh ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact at all the monitoring sites. The HQ for Ni and Cd was higher than the safe level in the cement factory area and Papalantoro, while Zn was at safe levels.展开更多
文摘A cement factory nearby communities raise pollution concerns. This study assessed air pollution levels for respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals (lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc and copper) adjacent to a cement factory in Ewekoro and neighbouring communities (Papalantoro, Lapeleko and Itori) in Ogun State, Nigeria. Respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals were measured using an ARA N-FRM cassette sampler. Each location sampled was monitored for eight continuous hours daily for 12 days. The PM2.5, PM10 and heavy metals results were compared with different standards, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria’s National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). The PM levels fell within 11 - 19 μg/m3 of the air management level of CAAQS, which signifies continuous actions are needed to improve air quality in the areas monitored but below the NESREA standard. The mean Cd, Cr and Ni concentrations in the cement factory area and the impacted neighbourhoods are higher than the WHO/EU permissible limits, while Zn and Cu were below the WHO/EU permissible limit. A risk assessment hazard quotient (HQ) for Cr was above the WHO/EU safe level (=1) in adults and children throµgh ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact at all the monitoring sites. The HQ for Ni and Cd was higher than the safe level in the cement factory area and Papalantoro, while Zn was at safe levels.
