Seasonal Assessment and Impact of Sawmill Activities on Air Quality in Sapele Municipality, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The seasonal assessment and impact of numerous sawmill activities on air quality in Sapele municipality and its immediate environment was examined. To achieve this, the concentration of key air pollutants in areas with heavy sawmill operations were studied with associated health risks for both seasons. This study employed the use of Aeroqual GasSensing device series 300 to measure CO, NH₃, VOCs, SOx, NOx, CH₄, while particulate matter detector was used to record PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ levels. The results around sawmill area with heavy operations revealed that CH₄ was high 2928 ppm dry and 774pm wet (S1). VOCs 7536 ppm (S1) dry   and 47 ppm (S1) wet. For particulate matter PM_2.5 was 223 µg/m³ (S2) dry and 306 µg/m³ (S2) wet while PM₁₀ was 250 µg/m³ (S1) dry and 284 µg/m³ (S1) wet. The findings of this study underscores the need for on-going monitoring and targeted interventions to address season-specific air quality concerns for surrounding communities, hence stiffer regulations and enforcement on sawmill activities.