Air pollution has become an important issue in today’s world of fast-growing population, increased globalization and industrialization. Wastes (both solid and liquid) from human activities have become frequent components of the atmosphere; analogously, wastes from industrial processes are rife in industrialized zones, states and countries, all causing the atmosphere to be contaminated/polluted. Because of unavailability of air pollution data from the Ministry of Environment in my location, I have used a study conducted in Keffi, a town in Nasarawa State of North Central Nigeria, my current country of residence, to discuss the various kinds of air pollutants, causes of air pollutants and personal skills or interests that could be implored towards enhancing the quality of air in Nasarawa State.
The Quality of Air Environment Around Waste Dumpsites Within Keffi Metropolis Study
This research was carried out in Keffi, Nasarawa State; a town geographically situated on a latitude 8°50’N and longitude 7°52’E; about 850m above sea level and in the North-West of Lafia, the state capital. It is 53km away from Abuja Federal Capital of Nigeria in the Guinea Savannah region of Nigeria. Using a total of 25 samples collected from five different waste dumpsites around five different locations within Keffi’s metropolis namely Angwan Lambu, Keffi Main market, University Main campus and Nasarawa Road; the study assessed the microbiological quality and public health hazard associated with the air environment around waste dumpsites in Keffi, metropolis. At the end of the research, health risk assessments indicated the presence of pathogenic bacteria and moulds with serious health risk to humans within the environment due to the possibility of cross contamination of foods sold in the open (Obiekezie, Ekeleme, Adamu, Gnimintakp, Onalo, Sabo, & Abdullahi, 2019, p. 79).
Air Pollutants, Causes and Personalized Methods for Enhancing Air Quality
Air pollution on a general note, is the contamination of the atmosphere by gases and particles (Dorsner, 2016, p. 243). Considering the causes of air pollutants, first, we discover that as population increases, human activities like excretion and disposal of wastes also go on the increase; thus, in areas where the literacy and development level is low, humans tend to improperly excrete faeces and urine in the open, causing a contamination of the air. For example, research shows that in my current state of residence, traces of Candida spp., a component of the female vagina’s microbiota was found in the air samples of Keffi metropolis in Nasarawa State of Nigeria. The traces of Candida spp., are most likely emanating from the urinary excretions of the Fulani women who sold ‘Nono’ (a locally fermented milk) within the same metropolis (Obiekezie, et. al., 2019, p. 82). Secondly, improved and increased human integration resulting from the impact of globalization leaves the world with more frequent transportation of people, goods and services in vehicles of all kinds – motorcycles, cars, buses trucks which in turn, causes smokes and exhausts gases also known as “mobile sources of air pollution (Dorsner, 2016, p. 243)” to pollute the atmosphere. For example, in the same Keffi metropolis of Nasarawa State, frequent vehicular movements transporting passengers commuting from Keffi to nearby Abuja (the Federal Capital territory of Nigeria) is always and has always being the order of every day due to proximity. Smokes and gases from exhausts of vehicles on this route leave the air polluted on a regular daily basis. According to Obiekezie, et. al. (2019), such high vehicular movements, contribute to the spread of microbial agents by airborne routes. In addition, Dorsner (2016) also concurs that “industrialization and the use of motor vehicles are overwhelmingly the most significant contributors to air pollution, there are important natural sources of ‘pollution’ as well. Wildland fires, dust storms, and volcanic activity also contribute gases and particulates to our atmosphere p. 243”.
As an educated person residing in this area, few skills and interests of mine can go a long way in helping to enhance the quality of air in the Keffi metropolis of Nasarawa State. One skill I have got is the skill of programming, with which I can use to design a mobile application that will help in educating the illiterate population in the area about proper waste disposal methods to increase our chances of having a better quality of air for breathing. Another action that can help is carrying out “Scheduled Routine Voluntary Sanitation Exercises” in my community help local government and intergovernmental agencies in their work to enhance and secure the atmosphere environment we live in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, air pollution is an important issue of concern which cannot be overemphasized. Increased human activities and globalization e.t.c. have contributed greatly in causing the pollution of the atmosphere in which we breathe. While government and other intergovernmental international organizations are making great efforts towards providing a better quality of air for everyone, we as individuals can play our little roles by converting our skills into innovative methods of sensitizing the general public (especially in illiterate areas) on better ways of disposing human wastes and sustainable performance of human activities to as well.
