The Volume of Vehicular Greenhouse gas Emissions along a Dual Carriage Road in North-Central Nigeria: A Survey Study

Abstract

Vehicular traffic contributes immensely to urban air pollution and its subsequent impact on human health in both the developed and the less developed countries, Nigeria inclusive. The objectives of the study were to measure the concentration of some greenhouse gases, largely products of internal combustion in motor vehicle engines namely: nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter and noise at the study location during traffic peak and lean periods as well as compare the result of the greenhouse gases during peak and lean periods with acceptable limits. In doing this, air quality assessment was also carried out using the hand-held Orion multiple gas alerts, CO, NO2 and SO2, respectively. Measurements were taken during traffic peak periods between 7:00am and 10:00am while the off-peak measurements were taken between 12:00pm and 3:00pm. Number of vehicles were counted at mornings, and evenings to know the influx of cars into the city and out of the city, thus to compare the number of vehicles that ply the area with vehicular emissions. The findings of the study revealed that the concentration of these greenhouse gases is more during traffic peak periods than the lean periods. Therefore, measures that seek to minimize emission of pollutants from automobile are urgently required in major cities of the developing countries.