Abstract:
The study investigated the ambient air quality caused by vehicular emission and its
implications on the public health around major roadways in Lagos metropolis Nigeria. Field
data on vehicular volumes and mix were collected for three months in the morning,
afternoon, and evening peak periods for the five (5) selected major routes. Concurrently,
air pollutants from vehicles were measured by portable gas detectors on the routes.
Questionnaires were administered to the respondent near the routes to investigate the
implications of exposure on their health. The concentration level of the air pollutants is
highest between 8-9 am morning peak periods and lowest between 12-1 pm afternoon
periods. The ambient air quality is polluted on all the studied routes and revealed a strong
correlation (p<0.05) between pollutants concentration and traffic flow. The questionnaire
results also showed that 74% of the sampled respondents around the corridor suffered
from chest pain, frequent cough, nose running and sneezing, sore throat, difficulty in
breathing, body weakness, fatigue, eye irritation, loss of appetite, headache, and fast
breathing of which 6% of children and 54% of women were the most susceptible. The
study recommended measures for the reduction of the negative impacts on ambient air
quality and public health in developing African cities
