Assessment of Industrial Emissions and their impacts on Ambient Air Quality and Public Health in Urban Areas of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State

Ibrahim Abdullahi Kabiru, I. Y. Chindo, John Gushit, Saminu Abdu, Saad Isa Olarewaju

Abstract


Rapid urbanization and expanding industrial activities within Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) have driven localized declines in air quality, posing critical threats to public health. This study quantifies ambient air pollutant concentrations [PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)] across three industrial sites, two residential sites, and one baseline control site. Using standardized field monitoring coupled with United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and Air Quality Index (AQI) modeling, spatial and temporal variations were evaluated. The empirical findings reveal that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mean values (65.0 ± 18.2 µg/m³) exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) annual guidelines by more than fourfold. Spatial analysis confirmed a sharp downward gradient from industrial points to residential zones, while temporal peaks manifested during morning and evening atmospheric inversions (p < 0.05). AQI calculations categorized industrial zones as 'Unhealthy' (indices 152–178). Toxicological risk modeling yielded a composite Hazard Index (HI) of 6.45 for industrial workers and 4.20 for nearby residents, significantly exceeding the safe regulatory limit of HI = 1. This indicates severe cumulative non-carcinogenic health risks, highlighting an urgent need for structural green buffer zones, modernized stack scrubbers, and institutionalized air monitoring frameworks in North-Central Nigeria. 


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