OCCUPATIONAL AIR POLLUTION INDEX (API) ASSESSMENT AND MEASURED ATMOSPHERIC VARIABLES AT SELECTED CONSTRUCTION SITES

Abstract

This study considered occupational air pollution index (API) and the effects of meteorological variables for two seasons at selected construction sites in the cities of Owerri and Port-Harcourt. Suspended microscopic particles of the size range 2.5µm and 10 µm generated at the construction sites were collected on filter papers and their concentrations were determined on a monthly basis for 2 seasons (wet and dry seasons). The results showed that air pollution of the selected construction sites were relatively poor. The highest API values recorded during the study for PM2.5 and PM10 at Owerri construction site were 314 and 155, while that of Port-Harcourt were 216 and 106 respectively. Comparing the values of API between Owerri and PortHarcourt construction sites for the period under study, air pollution index at Owerri construction site was higher than that of Port-Harcourt. This difference in API could be attributed to the volume of work and meteorological conditions of the selected construction sites. Occupational exposure to poor air quality has been identified as the cause of increased ischemic heart disease, respiratory problems, and even death among construction workers and workers in other industries, hence the need to ensure air quality monitoring and improvement in our environment and industries.