Health Effects of Tropospheric Ozone in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Agada Livinus Emeka

The troposphere is the nearest layer of the atmosphere and its composition can significantly be influenced by natural and anthropogenic activities that release gaseous substances to the atmosphere. The layer extends up to 15 km above the ground surface.  Given the possible public health challenges that tropospheric ozone can impact on the ecosystem, this study is focused on the health impact of tropospheric Ozone in Maiduguri metropolis, Nigeria. The meteorological data used for this study were obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Abuja. The analysis of the fifteen (15) years (2005-2020) data obtained showed that the study area is polluted by tropospheric Ozone. The results of the time series analysis of the data showed an increasing trend in all the months except April. The concentration of tropospheric ozone in the study area ranges from 17 – 40 DU (26.1 to 61.5 ppb) during the period of study. According to the WHO guideline, the level of tropospheric Ozone should be less than 50 ppb (100 µg/m³) daily 8-hours average exposure with a potential level of 30 ppb (WHO, 2006). With regards to the WHO standard guideline on tropospheric Ozone concentration in the atmosphere, it is obvious that the study area is polluted.  The analysis of the maximum temperature data of the study area showed a continuous increase in maximum temperature which is an indication that the increase in tropospheric Ozone concentration in the area is associated with global warming. The study was focused on enlightenment, sensitization and creation of awareness on public health and the environmental risk of tropospheric ozone.