Air Quality Impacts of Smallholder Oil Palm Processing in Nigeria

Abstract

Air emissions during palm oil processing by smallholders are issues of public health concern demanding urgent intervention by environmentalist. In this study, six smallholder oil palm processing mills were studied in Elele, Nigeria. Air emission parameters (NO2, NH3, CO, H2S, SO2, VOC), noise and meteorology (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and pressure) were determined at three distances (10 ft, 25 ft and 50 ft) in both wind ward and lee ward directions from the mills covering boiling and digestion activities. The emissions from biomass were found to be significantly higher than that from fossil diesel, while noise was higher during digestion. The health implications of air emissions were discussed. The study concluded by directing attentions of regulatory agencies to monitor the activities of smallholder oil palm processing to ensure the environmental sustainability of their operations. In summary, evidence during boiling activity revealed that:  H2S ranged from <0.01 - 2.400 ppm at 10 ft, <0.01 - 2.067 ppm at 25 ft and <0.01 - 0.833 ppm at 50 ft from the mills in the wind ward direction, and <0.01 - 1.167 ppm at 10 ft, <0.01 - 0.567 ppm at 25 ft and <0.01 - 0.367 ppm at 50ft distance from the mills in lee ward direction and was significantly lower during digestion.  SPM ranged from 1634 - 7853 µg/m 3 at 10 ft, 657 - 1110 µg/m 3 at 25 ft and 81 - 854 µg/m 3 at 50 ft from the mills in the wind ward direction, and 46 - 236 µg/m 3 at 10 ft, 44 - 120 µg/m 3 at 25 ft and 30 - 58 µg/m 3 at 50 ft from the mills in lee ward direction. SPM was significantly lower during digestion.  VOC ranged from 67 - 13.933 ppm at 10 ft, 1.033 - 13.133 ppm at 25ft and 0.500 - 9.467 ppm at 50 ft from the mills in the wind ward direction, and 0.300 - 3.200 ppm at 10 ft, 0.133 - 6.733 ppm at 25 ft and 0.100 - 4.773 ppm at 50 ft from the mills in the lee ward direction, but was significantly lower during digestion..