INTRA-URBAN PATTERN AND DETERMINANTS OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN OGBOMOSO, NIGERIA

Authors

  • M O JELILI Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • T A ALABI Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • O O ODUNOLA Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Keywords:

Air quality, ambient environment, particulate matters,

Abstract

Given the rising concern on the pernicious effects of indoor air pollution, this paper evaluates the extent, spatial variation and causes of declining indoor air quality in Ogbomoso, a medium-sized traditional urban settlement in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from 385 buildings sampled across 27 selected precincts within the identified residential zones in the study area. This was achieved by measuring with gas samplers, the concentrations of four Particulate Matter analytes (PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and TSP) within the buildings and administering questionnaire to 441 occupants. Analysis of Variance was used to explain the inter-zonal variations in indoor air quality. Findings from the study revealed a relatively poor air quality in Ogbomoso with the mean indoor PM2.5 (41.6μg/m³) and PM10(175.5μg/m³) and TSP (257.2μg/m³) higher than the WHO and FEPA limits. The inter-zonal variations of air quality, using “Indoor PM Aggregate†as a surrogate measure, shows that indoor air quality varied significantly with residential zone (p = 0.0005) but not with building type (p = 0.007). Causes of the observed variations were found to be residents’ adopted fuels/ energy contrivances as firewood, and charcoal, among other fuels, linked with increased concentrations of particulate matters within residential zones. The paper finally recommended, among others, the need for a shift from the preponderant biomass burning (firewood and charcoal) and generator use to cleaner (environmental friendly) fuels in order to enhance air quality within residential buildings.

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Published

2018-04-15

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2018): AFRICAN JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIAL ISSUES

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Articles

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