A Study of Probability Models in Monitoring Environmental Pollution in Nigeria

P E Oguntunde,A O Adejumo,O A Odetunmibi

doi:10.1155/2014/864965

Abstract

In Lagos State, Nigeria, pollutant emissions were monitored across the state to detect any significant change which may cause harm to human health and the environment at large. In this research, three theoretical distributions, Weibull, lognormal, and gamma distributions, were examined on the carbon monoxide observations to determine the best fit. The characteristics of the pollutant observation were established and the probabilities of exceeding the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) acceptable limits have been successfully predicted. Increase in the use of vehicles and increase in the establishment of industries have been found not to contribute significantly to the high level of carbon monoxide concentration in Lagos State for the period studied.

Highlights

It is common knowledge that population growth and globalization have become the major drivers of pollution
Emergency room attendance, and decreased lung function have been associated with the following common air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), inhalable particles, photochemical oxidants, and sulphur dioxide SO2
It is known that the main source of carbon monoxide is from motor vehicle exhaust; about two-thirds of the pollutant emissions come from transportation sources, while other sources include industrial processes and open burning activities [3, 4]

Summary

Introduction

It is common knowledge that population growth and globalization have become the major drivers of pollution. Emergency room attendance, and decreased lung function have been associated with the following common air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), inhalable particles (measured as PM10), photochemical oxidants (measured as ozone), and sulphur dioxide SO2. Emphasis will be on one of these criteria pollutants which is carbon monoxide because of the major threats it poses to human health. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and highly poisonous gas produced in large quantities as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is known that the main source of carbon monoxide is from motor vehicle exhaust (vehicular emission); about two-thirds of the pollutant emissions come from transportation sources, while other sources include industrial processes and open burning activities [3, 4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion