Assessment of Levels and Health Risks of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM10) and Associated Gaseous Elements in Selected Locations in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Particulate matter with a size of 10 micrometers (PM10) poses health risks and thus needs to be monitored in every locality. This study assessed the health risks associated with PM10 and related gaseous elements, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3), in the ambient air of selected locations in Lagos, Nigeria. Theselocations included Ikeja, Apapa, Idumota, Odogunyan, Yaba, Obalende, Agege, Oshodi, Oto-Awori, and Ojodu. The average hourly dose (AHD), average daily dose (ADD), and hazard quotient (HQ) of these pollutants werecalculated. The results indicated that PM10 levels (ranging from 48.05±0.97 µg/m3 in Obalende to 115.00±1.74µg/m3 in Apapa) and CO levels (ranging from 12.46±0.84 µg/m3 in Obalende to 58.50±3.64 µg/m3 in Agege) exceeded the WHO permissible limits at all locations (45µg/m3 for PM10 and 7 µg/m3 for CO). NO2 levels (ranging from 0.00 µg/m3 in Yaba and Obalende to 23.98±2.06 µg/m3 in Oshodi) and O3 levels (ranging from 2.25±0.20 µg/m3 in Odogunyan to 38.71±2.41 µg/m3 in Oshodi) remained within permissible limits (25µg/m3 for NO2 and 100µg/m3 for O3) across all locations. The HQ of the ADD for both PM10 and CO (Agege and Oshodi only) exceeded the threshold, suggesting that air quality in these locations may induce toxic effects. These findings emphasize the need forpolicies aimed at controlling pollution in the city.