Assessment of Air Pollutant Concentrations Near Major Roads in Residential, Commercial and Industrial Areas in Ibadan City, Nigeria

BACKGROUND. Urbanization, energy consumption, intensification of road traffic and rapid population growth pose significant challenges to ambient air quality. Therefore, regular monitoring of current air quality is essential. OBJECTIVES. The study investigated the concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O(3)), ammonia (NH(3)) and carbon monoxide (CO) in ten different sites to investigate possible anthropogenic sources within Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS. Air samples were collected into specific absorbing solutions twice daily in the morning and afternoon for four weeks. The resulting solutions were analyzed following specific colorimetric techniques according to standard methods of analysis. RESULTS. Average concentrations varied among the sampling areas. All were above background levels obtained at the control site. Overall concentrations were found to be 30±19 μg/m(3) (SO(2)), 63±16 μg/m(3) (NOx), 31±18 μg/m(3) (O(3)), 463±180 μg/m(3) (NH(3)) and 0.59±0.21 ppm (CO). These concentrations were present at the study areas at 15, 31, 17, 5 and 3 times the background concentrations for SO(2), NOx, O(3), NH(3) and CO, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In spite of the short duration of sampling, the data can guide future long term monitoring of air quality in Nigeria. The level of SO(2) exceeded World Health Organization limits within this short duration. This is an indication of the need for long term air quality monitoring with a sustainable plan for air pollution management.