PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NITROGEN-DIOXIDE LEVELS AND HUMAN HEALTH IN AGBOR; DELTA-STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Nitrogen-dioxide (NO2) is an oxidant gas that can penetrate to the small airways and alveoli of the lungs and can impair defense mechanism against respiratory pathogens. This report presents a preliminary attempt to establishing a relationship between Nitrogen-dioxide (NO2) levels and Human health impact in Agbor. Ten sites were selected to represent areas where air pollution levels might be highest or present particular threat. NO2 levels were measured using the Palmes diffusion tubes. NO2 monitoring was done for a period of twelve months. Health outcomes of interest were evaluated from responses to completed questionnaires. The highest indoor NO2 concentration of 50.02 µg/m3 was recorded in site TL while site OD recorded the least value of 5.18 µg/m3. Indoor NO2 mean values ranged between 7.28 and 39.93 µg/m3.The correlation between the incidence of the prevalence of respiratory diseases and NO2 levels were evaluated. The result revealed a very low correlation (r = 0.076) between NO2 levels and respiratory symptoms[FJPAS 1(1)2016].