Assessment of Gaseous Pollutants along High Traffic Roads in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the air quality along some busy roads in Kano metropolis. The study was conducted from December 2009 to September 2010; air pollutants such as: CO, H2S, NO2, SO2, FL and NH3 were included in this study. The results indicated that the concentrations of CO, H2S, NO2 and SO2 measured, with few exceptions, at some sites were above the air quality index AQI stipulated by USEPA, especially during the afternoon periods. This implies that traffic emission within Kano metropolis is not within the safe limits, revealing that transport-related pollution in Kano metropolis can be potentially hazardous to health. In addition, the results also indicated that the total level of pollutants in all sites was noted across the seasons.. Increases during the Warm and Wet Season provide strong evidence that rainfall impacts the pollutants concentrations at all sites.