EFFECTS OF GENERATOR FUMES ON THE HEALTH OF BUSINESS CENTRE OPERATORS IN NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, NIGERIA

Abstract

The epileptic nature of power supply in Nigeria has forced the citizens to use petrol powered generator sets as resort to power their businesses/premises, thereby exposing them to both hazardous fumes and noise pollution. The effects of generator fumes on the health of business centre operators in Nasarawa State University; Keffi, Nigeria was investigated using questionnaire and air quality monitoring. 400 copies of questionnaire were administered to business centre operators and their regular customers using random sampling technique. The completed questionnaires were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software Version 23 and result presented in percentages and frequency distribution. The ambient air quality of the business centres within the University were monitored for four air pollutants (SO2, CO, NO2 and PM10) and Noise, when operators power their petrol/diesel generating sets using Gasman handheld mobile equipment (Crowcon detection instrument), Haze-dust particulate monitor and Environmental meter (Brannan) respectively. Air quality monitoring was conducted for three days (Morning, Afternoon and Evening) in six (6) sample locations within the University with one location designated as control. Result indicated that air quality around the business centres was polluted especially when activities in the centres are at their peak. SO2, CO, NO2 and Noise showed high concentration in the afternoon and evening periods in 5 locations exceeding Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) standards. The result from the questionnaire analysis showed that most of the operators (37.5%) spend 7 to 8 hours daily at the business centres and suffered one health challenge or the other ranging from headache (22.5%), dizziness (21.25%), cough (20.0%), fatigue (17.5%), chest pain (12.5%), difficulty in breathing (6.25%). The result indicated symptoms of respiratory infection, cardiovascular disease and lung disease or lung cancer among operators. This implies that operators are exposed to high concentration of air pollutants which may pose severe health consequences on them and the general public if left unchecked. The findings of this study showed that generator fumes adversely affect operators of business centre and individuals that spends several hours in the environment and the study recommends enlightenment and sensitization of the business centre operators on the health risk of inhaling generator fumes.