Environment
A. C. Johnson
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began during early 2020, had been a worldwide problem, resulting in significant fatalities. In China, the pandemic resulted in strict lockdowns, restricted movement, and reduced transportation. This resulted in improvement of air quality in many cities in China. The objective ...
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The COVID-19 pandemic, which began during early 2020, had been a worldwide problem, resulting in significant fatalities. In China, the pandemic resulted in strict lockdowns, restricted movement, and reduced transportation. This resulted in improvement of air quality in many cities in China. The objective of the study is to compare the nature of air quality pre-COVID period (2018-2019) and during COVID period (2020-2201). The following air quality parameters were investigated, air quality index (AQI), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). The present investigation results will augment to the current understanding on the air pollution situation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jiangsu Province in China. The study revealed that air quality in Jiangsu Province improved during the months when COVID-19 positive cases increased. The reduction in air pollutants concentrations started during 2020 and reached a maximum during 2021. Overall the air quality index (AQI) improved by 8.2 % and air pollutant reductions achieved were, PMs (≈ 21%), SO2 (26.2 %), NO2 (13.6 %), O3 (2.4 %) and CO (10.4 %). Cities in Jiangsu Province with high air pollutant concentrations achieved a moderate reduction. The correlation between air pollutants and AQI was positive except for O3. The implications of the study are, reduction of fossil fuel powered vehicles and industrial activity can make notable positive impact on the air quality of the region.
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 ...
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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.
