Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The assessment of carbon monoxide (CO) levels in Enugu metropolis is crucial for monitoring industrial activities and their impact on air quality. This study aimed to investigate the levels of CO in different areas of Enugu metropolis to understand the extent of pollution and potential health risks. The research involved the collection of air samples from various locations within the metropolis using portable CO monitors. The data collected were analyzed to determine the concentration of CO in the air at different times of the day and in different areas. The results of the study indicated varying levels of CO in different parts of Enugu metropolis, with higher concentrations observed in areas with heavy industrial activities. The findings suggest that industrial emissions significantly contribute to the levels of CO in the air, posing potential health risks to residents and workers in these areas. The study also revealed that CO levels tend to be higher during peak traffic hours, indicating the impact of vehicular emissions on air quality in the metropolis. Overall, the assessment of CO levels in Enugu metropolis provides valuable insights into the sources of pollution and the potential health hazards associated with high CO concentrations. The findings of this study could help inform policymakers and stakeholders in implementing measures to reduce industrial emissions and improve air quality in the metropolis. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of CO exposure on public health and to develop sustainable strategies for mitigating air pollution in Enugu metropolis.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Air pollution is associated with increasing cases of many adverse health effects, e.g. mortality, respiratory diseases and cancer. The chemical composition of ambient air is very complex and depends on many different factors, traffic generated air pollution being a major source in large cities. This is especially true in the developing world, mainly due to the high proportion of old, poorly maintained vehicles, the abundance of two stroke vehicles and the poor fuel quality (Baumbach et al., 1995; Gwilliam 2003). All these factors contribute to one of the major air pollutant in urban areas; carbon monoxide (CO).CO is a poisonous, colorless, inevitable gas that has neither taste nor smell. It is formed when carbon burns with too little air (incomplete combustion) (Smith and Scott, 2002). Carbon monoxide (CO), also called Carbonious oxide or Carbon (II) Oxide and is slightly lighter than air. CO is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas, produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Products and equipments and machines powered by internal combustion engines such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers also produce CO. It has a high affinity for hemoglobin in blood and displaces O2 to form carboxyl hemoglobin (COHb). This can cause dizziness, headaches and eventually death. Tobacco smoke, gas

fires, burning candles are also common sources of CO in indoor air. Internal combustion engines are responsible for most of the CO in outdoor air (Smith and Scott, 2002). The ambient concentration of CO is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most of the studies on air pollution and exposure to air pollutants have been conducted in developed countries, i.e. Western Europe and the USA (ŠišviÄ and Fugaš, 1987, Cernuschi et. al., 1998; and Chiara et. al., 2005). There is limited information on exposure to air pollutants in developing tropical countries, but some studies have been carried out in sub-Saharan Africa (Baumbach et. al., 1995; Fanou et. al., 2005; LindÑn e.t al., 2007).

The population in Enugu city, the economic and administrative capital of Enugu state, has increased rapidly in the last decade (about one million inhabitants), and in since there is no reliable public transport system, air pollution has worsened because of an increasing number of old second-hand cars and of taxi motorbikes (Keke-NAPEP). Petroleum products used are also of poor quality, due to the importation of sub-standard products into the country. No data on health effect of air pollution in Enugu city is available to the researcher, but it is anticipated that air pollution could become a major public health problem if adequate mitigation measures are not taken at this time. Exposure to air pollution is normally assessed by environmental monitoring; using either fixed monitoring stations or personal air collecting instruments.