Abstract
The composting facility at Eruemu has been appraised with particular reference to its impact on the Nitrogen dioxide and microbial load in air within and around the facility. Previous assessment of the ambient air within this facility indicated that its operation could be a potential significant source of NH3 and H2S in the environment. In this study, nitrogen dioxide monitoring was done every forthnight using Palmes diffusion tubes. For the microbial assessment, air sampling was carried out using the filtration method described by Albrecht. The total heterotrophic bacterial population ranged from 1 cfu/ml to 67 cfu/ml, with the higher bacterial count recorded for site B. No pathogenic bacterial isolates were detected in the air samples collected from the different monitoring sites. Low levels of the acidic gas NO2 was obtained at all the monitoring sites. Significant spatial variation (p<0.05 at 95% confidence interval) was observed in the NO2 data generated. Within and around the composting facility, NO2 range of 1.15 ppb (2.20 μgm-3) – 2.14 ppb (4.08 μgm-3) was measured. The highest NO2 load was measured at the monitoring site B (500 m from the facility) with a range of 2.84 ppb (5.42 μgm-3) – 6.54 ppb (12.49μgm-3). At monitoring site C, very low NO2 load was also observed. Perfect compliance with the national and international regulatory limits for NO2 was observed at all the monitoring sites.
Highlights
This study became necessary in order to either douse the anxiety expressed or recommend an urgent precautionary measure based on the fear expressed by the host community on the operation of this facility
The study of airborne microorganisms has expanded from the traditional arena of transmission of diseases via the respiratory route to include human pathogens and plant pathogens, opportunistic and nonpathogenic organisms and aerosolized microbial by-product [6]
This study is designed to assess the actual impact of the operation of the facility on the ambient dose of nitrogen dioxide and microbial load within and around the facility
Summary
This study became necessary in order to either douse the anxiety expressed or recommend an urgent precautionary measure based on the fear expressed by the host community on the operation of this facility. The transmission of pathogenic microorganisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Legionella pneumophila and other newly recognized pathogens with an airborne transmission route are known to cause severe infections [5]. These infections include upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, hypersensitivity, pneumonites as well as other respiratory illnesses. The study of airborne microorganisms has expanded from the traditional arena of transmission of diseases via the respiratory route to include human pathogens and plant pathogens, opportunistic and nonpathogenic organisms and aerosolized microbial by-product [6]. It is anticipated that the conclusion drawn from this study would help in better management of this compost plant
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