Environment
O. F. Anjorin; L. C. Imoh; C. Uhunmwangho
Abstract
Since actual metal emissions can be assessed using Particulate matter (PM) as a proxy, monitoring and controlling metal compounds in biomass emissions is essential for determining their quantities and potential health effects. Using a low volume respirable dust sampler, indoor ambient metal-bearing particles ...
Read More
Since actual metal emissions can be assessed using Particulate matter (PM) as a proxy, monitoring and controlling metal compounds in biomass emissions is essential for determining their quantities and potential health effects. Using a low volume respirable dust sampler, indoor ambient metal-bearing particles were quantified in-situ and collected from nine (9) randomly selected public kitchens of boarding secondary schools in Jos, Plateau State. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to determine the amounts of specific heavy metals in these collected samples. Additionally, 114 responders' blood samples underwent a biochemical lead assay study. The mean concentrations of the samples taken for Mn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Cr, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Co were 0.097, 0.015, 0.254, 0.314, 1.027, 0.000, 0.076, 0.106, and 0.169 µg/m3, respectively. The results of the blood lead assay analysis showed that 54% of the subjects had B-Pb levels above 80 µg/dL, 33% had B-Pb levels between 40 µg/dL and 80 µg/dL, 8% between 25 µg/dL and 40 µg/dL, 4% between 10 µg/dL and 25 µg/dL, 4% below 10 µg/dL, and 15% below 10 µg/dL. In general, elevated levels of metal-bearing particles in the indoor environment public kitchens expose kitchen staff to several occupational hazards.
Environment
O. F. Anjorin; L. C. Imoh; C. Uhunmwangho
Abstract
Biomass use in small unit combustion systems such as for space heating or cooking could lead to ineffective mixing and potential problems arising from emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants. We therefore conducted a study to measure pollution levels in public kitchens using biomass fuel for ...
Read More
Biomass use in small unit combustion systems such as for space heating or cooking could lead to ineffective mixing and potential problems arising from emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants. We therefore conducted a study to measure pollution levels in public kitchens using biomass fuel for cooking and to ascertain their air quality indices. Markers of indoor air quality such as CO, SO2, H2S, PM2.5 and PM10 were measured in eleven (11) public kitchens of selected secondary schools over a period of four months by a set of active sampling devices. It is revealed that the mean average of CO, SO2, H2S, PM2.5 and PM10 sampled in the indoor microenvironments of the selected kitchens are 46.29 ppm, 0.36 ppm, 0.28 ppm, 74 µg/m3 and 138 µg/m3, respectively. The AQI assessed for CO for the kitchens was 36.36% very hazardous, 54.54 % hazardous and 9.09% very unhealthy while 63.64% and 36.36 % of very unhealthy and unhealthy categories, respectively for SO2. This shows that the indoor air pollution levels in selected kitchen are elevated and results in potential negative health consequences.