Characterization and Quantification of Vehicular Emissions in Abuja Municipality-Implications for Public Health.

Autor: Ezeigwe NM; Environment for Health Development Initiative (E4HDI), Abuja, Nigeria., Adinma ED; Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.; Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.; Center for Sustainable Development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria., Okobia EL; Nigerian Environmental Society, Abuja, FCT-Nigeria.; Lympson Leosentino Ireland, Republic of Ireland., Schwander S; Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice and Urban-Global Public Health, School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.; Division of Global Environmental Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association [Niger Med J] 2024 Jun 20; Vol. 65 (3), pp. 276-291. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 20 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI: 10.60787/nmj-v65i3-383
Abstrakt: Background: Air pollution from vehicular emission and other sources accounts for over seven million global deaths annually and contributes significantly to environmental degradation, including climate change. Vehicular emission is not prioritized for control in Nigeria, thus undermining public health and the Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11 and 13. This study aims to characterize vehicular emissions in Abuja municipality and quantify exhaust air pollutants of commonly used vehicles.
Methodology: Cross-sectional exhaust emissions study of vehicles in Abuja Municipal Area Council. Information on the type and age, fuel type, purchase and use category of 543 vehicles on routine Annual Road Worthiness Test at the Computerized Test Center, Abuja. Exhaust levels of CO, CO 2 HCHO and PM 10 were measured using hand-held devices. IBM SPSS version 26.0.0.0 (2019) statistical software.
Results: Toyota brand comprised 52.5% of the vehicles. Over 80% were older than 10 years; 85.5% preowned and 87.3% used for private purposes. PMS was the dominant fuel used (91.1%). Except PM 10 , older vehicles emitted higher levels of the measured pollutants than newer ones. The differences were significant for CO and HCHO. Diesel-fueled and commercial vehicles also emitted higher levels of CO, HCHO and PM 10 compared to PMS-fueled and private vehicles respectively.
Conclusions: Strong regulatory policies that discourage over-aged vehicles; speedy adoption of the ECOWAS guidelines on cleaner fuels and emission limits; and coordinated implementation of effective Inspection & Monitoring programme by relevant government agencies are required to safeguard public health and the environment. We also recommend the introduction of vehicles powered by alternative energy, use of bicycles, designation of one-way traffic and pedestrian zones.
Key Message: Reducing the threats to the public's health from vehicular air pollution in Abuja municipality requires strong policy and coordinated monitoring programs for effective control.
(Copyright © 2024 Nigerian Medical Association.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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