Measurement of Vehicular Emission in Karu Metropolis, North Central Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Measurement of Vehicular Emission in Karu Metropolis, North Central Nigeria

Ajegena, Yakubu Sunday*, Maikasuwa, Gaius, Atara, Joseph Galadima

Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Isa Mustapha Agwai 1 Polytechnic, PMB 109, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Corresponding author*

ABSTRACT
The level of gaseous emissions (CO, NO2, SO2, H2S, and PM) was measured at four selected locations (Masaka, Ado, Aso and Mararaba Sharp-Corner) in Karu metropolitan area of Nasarawa State using handheld croncon gasman gas meter/detector and particulate monitor from morning to evening for 30minutes and readings were recorded for time zero (0) and then after each 2 minutes interval at each location for a period of three days. The level of emission recorded at the major road junctions are within the range of 20-30PPM, 5-6PPM, 0.1-0.3PP, 0.0-0.1PPM for PM, CO, NO2, SO2 and H2S in that order. This showed a concentration pattern for all the four sampling sites. The result established that the emissions levels of CO and PM in the metropolis especially morning and evening at Masaka and Mararaba sharp-Corner were higher than the permissive Nigeria air quality standard of 10ppm for atmospheric CO, 006ppm for NO2, 0.1 for SO2, 0.1 for H2S and 006ugm-3 for PM. These will have adverse health effect and may contribute to climatic change in the long term if unmitigated. To this effect, it is recommended that vehicle owners should stop using poor quality petrol and more roads should be constructed within the metropolis
Key words: toxic gases, metropolis, urban areas-karu, measurement and vehicular emission

INTRODUCTION

The atmosphere is made up of mixed gases covering the earth crust excluding water; the atmosphere air we breathe is made up of 78.1% nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 0.09% argon, 0.03% carbon-dioxide and trace amount of other gases at level below 0.002%, Manaham and Stanley (2000). Human averagely take 24,000 breathes each day and air is the oxygen that we breathe. The source for CO2 for plants photosynthesis is a cover for living organism thus, protects it from harsh environment (Barker, et al., 1995). However, the entrance of harmful gases or particles into the ecosystem changes the quality of air; causing several harm to the ecosystem. Pollutants are called toxic waste, Uguayi et al (2003). Air pollutants are classified as primary and secondary pollutants. The main sources of air pollutants are from anthropogenic, it could be stationery or mobile (industrious and transportation activities), Rao and Rao (2001). In all the sources of air pollution, transportation is considered to be the major one (USDT/USEPA, 1993, seviyny 1998).

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