Air Pollution A Continuing Health Threat In Worlds Cities

Air pollution is a problem that is directly related to the number of people living in an area and the kinds of activities they engaged in. It is therefore vital for healthy and sustainable living that the preventive measures and sustainable solutions to ensure safe environment for the population to live. The main objective of this study is to ascertain the effect of air pollution as a continuing health threat to Nigeria. The researcher randomly selects 200 staff of Lagos state chapter of national environmental management agency as the population of the study. The study consists of two parts. The first part is devoted to assessing the impact of the air pollution on the health of the populace. The second part is focused on evaluating the impact on the environmental wellbeing of the society. The third part is dedicated to analyzing the health risks associated with air pollution in major cities of the world. The conclusion of this paper is that air pollution has important and diverse health effects on everybody on earth. Air pollution prevention is used to describe techniques and process that reduce wastes, through encouraging source reduction and sound recycling. The research aims to provide a better understanding of the public health risks posed by elevated concentrations of specified air pollutants such as PM10, VOCs and NO2 from traffic and domestic energy sources in Nigeria.

The main objective of the study is to ascertain the effect of air pollution a continuing health threat to Nigeria. But for the purpose of the study; the researcher intend to achieve the following sub objectives;

1. To ascertain the effect of air pollution on the health of the populace
2. To ascertain the impact of air pollution on the environmental wellbeing of the society
3. To investigate the role of environmental management agency in the control of air pollution
4. To ascertain the relationship between air pollution and death rate in the society

SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of air pollution as a continuing health threat in the world.

In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of air pollution in major cities of the world.

5.2 Summary

Urban dwellers in Nigeria are among the millions of people particularly in developing countries that live in urban areas with unhealthy air due to pollution from automobiles, factories, power plants etc. In Nigeria, the governments’ main concern is to provide for the basic needs of the people such as food, shelter and employment for the populace. Therefore pollution control has not been the priority programme of all levels of governments. It is based on this scenario that environmentalists foresee that controlling pollution will become more difficult and complex in the near future if the current trend continues. It is therefore vital for healthy and sustainable living that the preventive measures and sustainable solutions to ensure safe environment for the population to live.

5.3 Conclusion

Various studies have indicated the scale and spatial variability of public susceptibility to air pollution in major cities in the world. However, this knowledge is not sufficient to reduce the risks to public health posed by the problem. An effects-based and risk-management approach for Nigeria needs to be employed in order to provide a dynamic solution to public health issues associated with elevated concentrations of specified air pollutants such as PM10, VOCs and NO2 from traffic and domestic energy sources in Nigeria. This approach should therefore be based on a clear understanding of the public health risks posed by elevated levels of air pollution in order to prioritize a set of options available for minimizing the health risks especially in vulnerable communities. Air pollution has important and diverse health effects on everybody on earth. There is a compelling need to move forward on efforts to ensure clean air for all. Finding solutions to these and other air pollution problems isn’t always easy, and requires agencies, environmental organizations, industry, Governments and the public to work together to ensure clean air. The department of Health should work closely together with Government agencies, the public and others who are concerned about air quality. It will also consist of risk assessments based on identifiable economic costs and benefits to public health and quality of life and will facilitate new regulations, policies and processes that are informed by scientific evidence.

5.4 Recommendation

Haven completed the study, the following recommendations are put forward by the researcher Traffic, industry, refuse disposal, electric generators and gas flaring are the major air pollution sources in Nigeria and impact on health has been linked with the pollution episodes witnessed in the country. Therefore, prevention is said to be better than cure. Air pollution prevention is used to describe techniques and process that reduce wastes, through encouraging source reduction and sound recycling. Prevention strategies can be utilized in agriculture, energy conversion, and manufacturing aimed at eliminating or reducing the initial generation of pollutants and recycling or reuse of those pollutants that cannot be reduced or eliminated. For instance, rather than flaring of the natural gas produced in the Niger Delta region, it will be more beneficial and eco-friendly should this gas be processed into cooking or domestic gas as a recyclable measure for economic use. Other control measures include:

1. Use of alternative energy sources such as sun, wind, water, biomass and geothermal.
2. Carrying out emission test on all vehicles.
3. Planting trees will help use up excess carbon dioxide in the air.
4. Regular servicing of cars and electric generators.

• Environmental Health Science Project Topics and Materials