Author(s)

Joseph A. Ameh^*, Terrumun A. Tor-Anyiin, Ishaq S. Eneji

Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.

The level of gaseous emissions (CO, NO₂ and SO₂) at four strategic places in Makurdi metropolitan area of Benue State was determined using handheld TO Crowcon Gasman gas meters for a period of one month, during peak periods of traffic flow at the selected locations within the city. The level of emission recorded at the major road junctions in Makurdi showed CO with highest concentration (0.57 - 10.2 ppm), followed by NO₂ (0.01 - 0.11 ppm) and SO₂ (0.00 - 0.1 ppm) in all the sampled sites. This showed a concentration pattern of SS1 > SS2 > SS3 > SS4 in all the sampling stations. The results established that the emission levels in metropolis especially in the afternoon were slightly higher than the Nigerian air quality standard accepted safe limits of 10 ppm for atmospheric CO, 0.04 - 0.06 ppm for NO₂ and 0.1 ppm for SO₂, respectively. These will have adverse health effects and may contribute to climate change, in the long term, if unmitigated.

Carbon (II) Oxide, Nitrogen (IV) Oxide; Sulphur (IV) Oxide, Environmental Pollution, Health Effects

Ameh, J. , Tor-Anyiin, T. and Eneji, I. (2015) Assessment of Some Gaseous Emissions in Traffic Areas in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Open Journal of Air Pollution, 4, 175-183. doi: 10.4236/ojap.2015.44015.