March 2017 Vol.5 No.1

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Original Research Article

Assessment of air pollution generated by transport in Owerri, South East, Nigeria

Omenikolo A. I.^1*, Uduma C. I.², Chinekeokwu T.¹, and Abara J. C.¹

¹Department of Physics/Electronics Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State, Nigeria
²Department of Microbiology/Biochemistry, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: jconwusonye@gmail.com

Accepted March 30, 2017

Abstract

The rapid growth in motor vehicle activity in Owerri municipal and its environs contributes to high level of urban air pollution, among other adverse socioeconomic, environmental, health, and welfare impacts. Vehicular emissions are significant contributors to ambient air pollution, especially in urban areas. This paper reviews the status of vehicle emissions and their health impacts. The implications of emissions such as hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxides, carbon dioxide among others have been discussed. Various methods of effective control of vehicular emissions have also been presented. To achieve this , the trend of vehicles registered within Owerri spanning for a period of ten (10) years were obtained from Imo State Licensing office. This secondary data indicates that the number of registered vehicles has increased tremendously over the years and this rise has significantly increased the vehicular emissions in the study area. Finally, the paper presents preventive measures and sustainable solutions such as vehicle inspection, enforcement of legislations, effective refuse collection and evacuation and steady supply of electricity to stop use of gasoline generators among others to ensure safe environment for the population to live.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide, Health Pollution, Traffic congestion, Vehicular emission