Geographical Analysis of Criteria Pollutants in Selected Areas of Lagos
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Date
2018
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Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Atmospheric air plays a significant role in all lives on earth as it acts as a gaseous blanket protecting the
earth from dangerous cosmic radiation from outer space. This study examine the geographical analysis of
spatial pattern of criteria pollutants and its implications for human health in selected areas of Lagos state,
Nigeria. The study area was divided into three (3) namely; high traffic, industrial and residential areas.
The data for the study includes three years (2010-2012) data of criteria pollutants such as particulate
matter (PM2.5, PM10), ground level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxides, nitrogen dioxides and coordinates of the sample area which were collected from Lagos State Ministry for Environment and direct field measurement of coordinates with hand held GPS. The study reveals that the highest concentration of pollutants were recorded in High traffic areas followed by Industrial areas and Residential areas respectively. Criteria Pollutants such as SO2, CO, PM2.5 and PM10 are highly concentrated in the High traffic and Industrial areas. Data were analysed using descriptive and GIS procedure. It was therefore recommended that the government should adopt or create air quality health index (AQHI) and report on cumulative health impacts associated with criteria pollutants to be monitored
at suitable locations within the state.
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Keywords
Ambient air, criteria pollutants, air pollution, vehicular emissions