Evaluation of particulate matter (pm2.5) in reclamation road ambient air in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Residents of Rivers State largely assume that the ambient air may have been polluted by soot, and the growing awareness of air quality amongst researchers and international organizations has been documented on different air quality parameters, putting particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution at the forefront. The ambient air quality in the industrial area of Reclamation Road in Port Harcourt was therefore evaluated by taking in-situ measurements at eight (8) studied points in the outdoor environment for three (3) days each in the dry and wet seasons, through the use of air quality monitoring equipment. The concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) at the eight (8) studied points were determined, following standard analytical sampling methods. The results showed substantial concentrations of PM2.5 with the highest mean values of 202.51±133.45 and 106.00±2.83 μg/m3 at the Maccobar jetty studied site during dry and wet seasons, respectively. The mean concentrations of PM2.5 across all eight (8) studied points were found to be higher than the World Health Organization guideline value of 25 μg/m3. Presently, in Nigeria, the National Environmental (air quality control) Regulations, 2014 do not have any guideline limit value for PM2.5. Residents and workers of industries around the Reclamation Road should therefore ensure that the anthropogenic activities that release particulate matter into the environment are well regulated, and PM2.5 reduction strategies put in place for real-time monitoring.