Title: Investigation of the Level of Air Pollution Caused by Crude Oil Production and its Health Effects on the Inhabitants of the Production Area.
Authors: Ntesat U.B, Nweke Bright, Didi Ikechukwu Chima and Miebaka Josiah Ayotamuno
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: 25-31
Publication Date: 2024/08/28
Abstract:
The study investigated air pollution level triggered by production of crude oil at Ogbogu. Obagi, Obite communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State for three months, while Ahoada serve as control (S). The three communities are the major oil and gas hub and have oil and gas facilities such as the Ogbogu flow station, Ogbogu cluster, Obagi Flare pit, Obite gas plant metering station, several kilometres of pipes and numerous oil wellheads. Gaseous pollutants and particulate matter were determined in-situ using digital handheld gas monitors with electrochemical sensors. The result for Nitrogen, show that NO2 recorded (0.5ppm, 0.89ppm, 0.72ppm and 0.19ppm) at Ogbogu. Obagi, Obite and Ahoada which far exceeds the permissible value of the US National Ambient Air Concentration of 0.053 ?g/m3 as well as control. Similarly, SO2, CO, PM10 and PM2.5 followed same trend. The concentrations of NO2, SO2, CO, PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded WHO, NAAQS and FMEnv recommended limits especially at Obite, while Ogbogu and Obagi sampled locations remained within the target value of WHO, NAAQS and FMEnv (10ppm and 9ppm), The highest concentration of PM10 was recorded at Obite axis. The study concluded that the communities were exposed to moderate to high concentrations of gaseous and particulate matter pollutants which may adversely affect the health of the people under prolonged exposure. The air quality at Obite was also poor. The control station (Ahoada) generally showed significantly (p<0.5) lower level of gaseous pollutants and particulates than the study areas. The study, therefore recommended that the air quality in the area should be regularly monitored and gas flaring by oil industries and other practice by the residents should also be monitored. Health impact assessment should also be conducted regularly in the communities to determine the level of impacts of the pollutants.