Abstract
The rate of corrosion of roofing sheets especially those made of galvanized sheets is very high in the Niger Delta of region Nigeria. This could be due to the high level of atmospheric pollutants emitted mainly from gas and other industrial activities. To determine the impact of atmospheric pollutants, two shades were constructed at Idu, an oil bearing community with three gas flares. The shades were installed windward to provide maximum exposure to atmospheric pollutants and the rate of corrosion monitored nine-month period. The first shade was inclined at 30o while the second was inclined at 70°. A sheet was removed from each of the shades monthly and comparison made with its original characteristics and corrosion rate noted. The rate of corrosion is the speed at which any metal in a specific environment deteriorates. The corrosion of galvanized corrugated iron sheet is the deterioration of galvanized corrugated iron sheet as a result of air pollutant reactions. Pollutants act faster in dry season than rainy season when acid rain is diluted beyond pH of 5.3 which is more than its corrosion strength. Besides at the inclination of 70° does not allow pollutants to settle on the roof and therefore corrosion is minimal.
Highlights
The menace of conventional gas flaring, indiscriminate and unchecked burning of bushes and hydrocarbons have made particulate pollution reach an alarming level in the Niger Delta of Nigeria
Air pollution is a concern to many people as it directly influences the quality of human health, especially respiratory problems, heart and lung diseases, and may in extreme cases cause death
The main cause in the Niger Delta of Nigeria is burning of fossil fuels, the waste gases which contain nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric water to form acids
Summary
The menace of conventional gas flaring, indiscriminate and unchecked burning of bushes and hydrocarbons have made particulate pollution reach an alarming level in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. The main cause in the Niger Delta of Nigeria is burning of fossil fuels, the waste gases which contain nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric water to form acids. Residues from burning of hydrocarbons – gas flaring etc increase respiratory symptoms, aggravate asthma, and cause premature death. Main chemical in Sunlight reacting with exhaust from smog formation motor vehicles and refineries significantly decrease lung function, increase respiratory symptoms, aggravate asthma. Pollution studies carried out in the Niger Delta in the last five years, found these to be the critical air pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ground level ozone (O3), lead (Pb), fine particles less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and nitric acid (HNO3) [2,3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
