Evaluation of perceptive respiratory health problems of traffic officials and vehicular emissions within Abeokuta metropolis

Abstract

Vehicular pollutants influence respiratory effects identifiable through human perceptions and estimation of air pollutant concentrations. Twenty-four officials were examined at four traffic stations; six officials per station, twice a month for three months, considering early and late daily rush hours and vehicle volume using questionnaire. Six air pollutants were quantified three times per week for three months using air samplers. The results were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics; the obtained data were compared with the United States Environmental Protection Agency National Ambient Air Quality Standards (USEPA-NAAQS). About 67, 95, 22, 78, and 50 % of the respondents complained about air pollution, declined smoking, had protective equipment, severe respiratory symptoms, and health conditions. Also, 95, 73.3, 60, and 53.5 % had cases of runny nose and sneezing, headaches, airway allergies, and respiratory infections, respectively. Positive correlation existed between NO and NO2 at both early hour (0.744: p < 0.05 significant level) and late hour (0.867: p < 0.01 significant level) while negative correlation between NO and CO2 at early hour (0.768: p < 0.05 significant level). A negative correlation was observed between CO2 and NO2 at both early hours (0.765: p < 0.05 significant level) and late hour (0.914: p < 0.01 significant level). The analysed parameters had varied air quality index categories from very poor to very good when compared with USEPA-NAAQS across the stations. Traffic officials’ perception indicated severe respiratory health effects in the metropolis, where vehicular emissions adversely influence air quality.