IMPACT OF SAW DUST ON AMBIENT AIR QUALITY AT DEI-DEI INTERNATIONAL TIMBER MARKET, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The activities of humans affects the environment through different ways creating negative impact to the natural environments and this need to be minimize greatly to make sure that there is a clean air, food and water for everybody on the earth. The aim of this research work was to assess the impact of sawdust on ambient air quality at Dei-Dei International Market Abuja, Nigeria. , Two different source of data collection were used which are primary and secondary source of data. The data collected from the field were subjected to statistical analysis To identify sawdust generationand disposal techniques in Dei-Dei market. Questions relating to sawdust generation, quantity and disposal techniques were asked and responses were subjected to descriptive statistics in order to determine the quantity of sawdust generated and the most commonly used disposal techniques in the study area. The result it indicated that 7% of the respondents said less than 10kg of saw waste is being generated daily in their stand; 17% of the respondents said 20-50kg were generated; 26% of the respondents said 60-80kg were generated while higher percentage of the respondents 48% said above 100kg of waste are being generated daily. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was calculated for an overall assessment of air quality, There were both wide and narrow variations in the diurnal concentration levels of air pollutants monitored in the area. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ranged from 0.01 to 1.33ppm (0.16 ± 0.009), SO2 varied from 0.01 to 0.40ppm. Health Implication of Sawdustshows that, 3.3% sawmill workers and 4.2% inhabitants of the Environment signified that they had knowledge and experiences of the impact of sawmill operation on health. While a greater proportion of 42.5% sawmill workers and 50% inhabitants of the Environment said that they never had knowledge and experience of the impact of sawmill operation on health. It is concluded that Most operations carried out in the mills were largely supported by manual handling which often result to overexertion and a long term health hazards. Personal protection devices such as earmuff or plug, hand gloves were not used adequately and were often considered as irrelevant and disturbing. It is recommended that Measures such as the identification of hazards that are associated with wood dust and other substances in wood based industries should guide the workers in planning for processing activities in order to eliminate hazards.