Assessment of Particulate Matter Concentration and its health implications at four selected locations in Egbu, Imo State

Abstract

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with adverse impact on human health and environment. Particulate matter, (PM1.0, 2.5 and 10), can cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. This paper will consider the assessment of PM concentration in four sites in Egbu, Imo State, its health implications will also be analyzed. The method of Sample collection used was direct deposition under gravity. The masses of particulate matter collected from the construction site, motor park, market (sampling sites 1,2 &3) and a residential site; which is the sampling site 4 (control) for a period of 1 weeks were 0.4g, 0.13g & 0.16g, while the residential is 0.1g. An air quality monitor was used to measure daily concentrations of the PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 of the sampling sites, igress air monitor was used in this analysis. Some air parameters such as temperature and relative humidity were also measured.The analysis shows a very high concentration of PM 1.0 and 10 in the motor park and lower concentration of it at the residential site. There is need for creating awareness on the health problems associated with it and enacting laws that will help reduce the impact. The presence of these PMs in the selected sites shows a great health risk to people living around the environment, hence there is need for safety measures.