Abstract

This study examines the atmospheric loading of pollutants such as respirable particulate matter $(PM_1, \:PM_{2.5}, \:PM_7, \:PM_{10}, \:TSP)$ and gaseous pollutants (such as $NO_2, \:SO_2, \:VOC, \:H_2S, \:CO, \:CH_4)$ in the area arising from the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)-Bomu manifold explosion, fire and emissions. It also examines the meteorological conditions for the pollutants concentrations. Generally, the result obtained indicates significant concentration of noxious gases, such as $NO_2, \:SO_2, \:VOC, \:H_2S, \:CO, \:CH_4$; PM such as $PM_1, \:PM_{2.5}, \:PM_7, \:PM_{10}, \:TSP$, in the air. At the emission point, $PM10 \:(110.7 ug/m^3)$, $\:TSP \:(122.4 ug/m^3)$ and $CO \:(25.1 mg/m^3)$, exceeded the WHO acceptable standard of $50\: ug/m^3, \:100\: ug.m^3$ and $10\: mg/m^3$ respectively. The meteorological condition enhanced the gradual dispersion of pollutants during the period of study. The implications as established by this study are explosion significantly compromised the air quality of the area with deleterious health implication, this unimaginably high concentration of pollutant requires very urgent attention.

Keywords:

Air quality, crude oil, emission, meteorology, pollutant concentration,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.