Abstract

The open burning of unsegregated waste has become a major global social, environmental, and public health problem due to toxic emissions released into the atmosphere. This study focused on assessing the spatial and temporal levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) from the open burning of dumpsites in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria. A portable AEROQUAL meter was used for the air sampling from 7 locations, including the control station. The result shows that the spatial and temporal levels of CO ranged from 0.11–0.89ppm and 0.19–0.83ppm respectively, and below the detection limit in the control station. The air quality health risk assessment model for CO emission shows that it was safe in some areas, moderate, unsafe for a sensitive group, very unhealthy, and even hazardous in some cases. This study strongly recommends that the level of CO emission associated with the open burning of waste monitored in order to avert adverse effects.

Keywords

carbon monoxide, air quality, municipal waste, Bayelsa State, Nigeria