Of Gaseous Emissions And Public Health

The emission of dangerous gases into the atmosphere
is posing a great deal of health hazards to people Gas flaring, old vehicles, industries, indiscriminately dumped refuse, old computers, generators, air conditioners, and many other gadgets are the sources through which these gases are emitted into the atmosphere.
All over Nigeria, vehicles, especially the heavy duty trucks and most old vehicles are seen emitting these gases into the air, polluting the environment.
It is worrisome to note that commercial vehicles like the heavy duty trucks that generate revenue for their owners on a daily basis are the ones that are basically culpable to this ill.
Incidentally, both the owners and the drivers of the said vehicles are usually callous about the plight of people who inhale those hazardous gases. The health hazards and the inconveniences they pose to fellow road users do not matter to them.
An on-line source, “VCA offices,” has shown that the principal air quality pollutants that are emitted from petrol, diesel and alternative engines are carbon-monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, unburnt hydrocarbon and particulate matters.
These gases are invisible, but under certain operating conditions, the engines could produce visible particles appearing as smoke. The emissions are not directly linked to fuel consumption but dependent on vehicle’s technology, the extent of maintenance of such vehicle, driving style, conditions and ambient temperature.
Hazards associated with these emissions are numerous. For example, carbon-monoxide has the ability to reduce the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity which can prevent oxygen from being available to the key organs of the body. At a lower concentration, it will pose risk to those suffering from heart diseases.
Furthermore, oxides of nitrogen also contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain, and damages vegetation. It can also lead to ground level ozone formation and reacts with the atmosphere to form fine particles.
Hydrocarbons also contribute to ground level ozone formation leading to risk of damage to the human respiratory system. Some of them are carcinogenic and are indirect green house gases.
Another on-line source “www. eschooltoday.com,” stated that chemical reactions involving air pollutants, create a poisonous gas called ozone (03) which affects people’s health and damages animal’s life too. The level of effects usually depends on the length of time of exposure and the kind of concentration of chemical and parties exposed to.
Short term effects include eye, nose, throat and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis pneumonia, headaches, nausea and allergic reactions such as asthma and emphysema. While long term effects are chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease and even damages to the brain, nerves, liver and kidney. It also adversely affects the lungs of growing children and medical conditions in the elderly.
When acid rain falls over an area, it can kill trees and harm animals, fishes and other wildlife. When it infiltrates the soil, it changes its chemistry, making it unfit for many living things that rely on soil as habitat or for nutrition. Acid rain changes the chemistry of lakes and streams that the rain water flows into, harming fishes and other aquatic life.
From the fore-going, it is clear that air pollution is not a matter to be toyed with. Achieving the air quality standard for oxides of nitrogen and fine particles present the greatest challenge, especially in the urban areas. That is why preventive measures are better ways of controlling air pollution.
These preventive methods can either come from government or individuals. In the developed world, monitoring equipment have been installed at many points Authorities read them regularly to check the quality of air.        The emission of these pollutants are regulated. Over there, Euro emissions standard modern cars preferred. These cars, if kept in good condition, produce only a small quantity of air quality pollutants. Emissions of these air quality pollutants are being reduced by improving the quantity of fuel and by setting stringent limits for new cars. All new cars currently have to meet the Euro 5 standard from first January 2011.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the awareness of these dangers due to the emission of these gases is very minimal. Ignorantly, people even stay comfortably in areas where these gases are emitted to do businesses.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), and other relevant agencies that are in position to bring about this awareness have not done enough to enlighten the masses and ensure the protection of their lives and the environment from these poisonous gases emitted on a daily basis.
The present day government should enlighten the people, introduce green energy, invest in wind and solar energies as well as other renewable energies to minimize burning of fossil fuels which cause heavy air pollution. Government should force companies to be more responsible to the environment.
Stringent measures should be taken to ensure that every vehicle is maintained and that only a minimum percentage of these gases are emitted, until we develop the nation to a point where we shall experience zero flaring of gases.
Any car or industry that emits such gases should be penalized and made to face the wrath of the law. If need be, new laws should be made to protect lives and the environment. In fact, some of these cars should no longer be certified road worthy. Most times, cars are awarded this certificate without any check of any sort, this is not so good.
The ministries of environment and transport, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the police should team up to enforce “Operation Zero Tolerance” to this menace. The Customs should ensure that only cars with the Euro 5 quality are allowed into the country, so that while the old bad ones are hunted. New ones do not come in.
The sanitation authorities should ensure that refuse are packed, tied and not disposed indiscriminately. There should be a system of recycling refuse so that they are not just an eyesore, but also be other sources for economic growth.
If these are done, government and individuals will spend less on health. The monies that would have been expended on health could be diverted to some other sector to improve the living conditions of the people.
Ikiensikimama is an intern with The Tide.
 

Iyeneomi Mercy Ikiensikimama