The incessant quest of man for better standard of living has resulted in the exploitation and poo... more The incessant quest of man for better standard of living has resulted in the exploitation and poor management of natural resources and the consequent environmental pollution arising from such exploitations. Environmental issues such as climate change, land degradation, air and water pollution have become of major concern all over the world. In Nigeria, environmental degradation through the indiscriminate disposal of domestic, agricultural and industrial waste without considering the health and environmental implications is alarming. And the present treatment method does not seem to solve the environmental problems arising from it however, present advances and scientific researches in science are developing more environmentally friendly treatment method of pollutants in the environment (US EPA, 2006). In early times, we believed that we had an unlimited abundance of land and resources. Today, however, the resources in the world show in greater or lesser degree, our carelessness and negligence in using them. The problem associated with contaminated sites now assume increasing prominence in many countries. Contaminated lands generally result from past industrial activities. When awareness of the health and environmental effects connected with the production, use and disposal of hazardous substances were less well recognized than today then, environmental contamination is increasing day by day because of increase in population, industrialization and urbanization. (US EPA, 2006) All substances in nature ultimately succumb to decay. Much of this phenomenon is a natural consequence of the laws of thermodynamics. Many molecules degrade by the action of oxygen, halogens and radicals naturally found in the environment while a large proportion of materials degrade because their components are subject to the action of enzymes. Unfortunately, for humans, many of the wastes do not decay as fast as other substances. They end up polluting the air, land and water. Two major factors prevent material wastes from decaying rapidly. One such is that, the waste we produce so much at one time that the rate of natural decay is insignificant compared to the amount present. Another factor is that most waste end up in areas not conducive to rapid degradation. Contaminated lands have generally resulted from past industrial activities at which time the awareness of health and environmental effects connected with the production, use and disposal of hazardous substances was less well recognized than today. This problem is worldwide and the estimated numbers of contaminated sites have grown significantly to a large number (Cairney, 1993).
Air pollution can be defined as the presence in the atmosphere of one or more contaminants in suc... more Air pollution can be defined as the presence in the atmosphere of one or more contaminants in such quality and for such duration as is injurious, or tends to be injurious, to human health or welfare, animal or plant life. It is the contamination of air by the discharge of harmful substances. Industrialization have led to air getting more and more polluted over the years. Industries, vehicles, increase in the population, and urbanization are some of the major factors responsible for air pollution. The following industries are among those that emit a great deal of pollutants into the air: thermal power plants, cement, steel, refineries, petro chemicals, and mines. Air pollution can cause health problems and it can also damage the environment and property. It has caused thinning of the protective ozone layer of the atmosphere, which is leading to climate change.
For the past several centuries, humanity has been increasingly polluting air and water, altering ... more For the past several centuries, humanity has been increasingly polluting air and water, altering Earth’s climate, eroding the soil, fragmenting and eliminating the habitat of plants and animals, and depleting the natural bank account of nonrenewable resources. Of especially great long-term concern, we are as a consequence simultaneously degrading the capacity of natural ecosystems to regenerate or maintain renewable resources and ecosystem services, such as the provision of clean air and water, the control of flooding, the maintenance of a tolerable climate, the conservation and regeneration of fertile soil, and the preservation of genetic and other forms of biological diversity. The significance of environmental factors to the health and well-being of human populations’ is increasingly apparent (Rosenstock 2003; World Health Organization, 2010b). Environment pollution is a worldwide problem and its potential to influence the health of human populations is great (Fereidoun et al, 2007; Progressive Insurance, 2005.). Pollution reaches its most serious proportions in the densely settled urban-industrial centers of the more developed countries (Kromm, 1973). In poor countries of the world more than 80% polluted water have been used for irrigation with only seventy to eighty percent food and living security in industrial urban and semi urban areas. (Mara & Cairncross, 1989).
Pollution of surface water with heavy metals from industrial activities especially those from scr... more Pollution of surface water with heavy metals from industrial activities especially those from scrap yard has caused a major threat to human life exposing man to series of hazard, diseases, disability and consequently death. This study focuses on water quality indices of Owode-Onirin and Lafenwa scrap yard with respect to its physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations by evaluating Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index (MI) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI). Fifteen water samples were selected randomly from two locations by purposive sampling methods. Five heavy metals which includes Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and standard analytical procedure were follow to ensure accuracy. One way analysis of variance was carried out to analyse the data. The concentrations of the heavy metals were significantly different between sampling locations. However, the mean concentrations of Cd (0.0121 mg/L) were found to be above the highest permissible value of Standard Organization of Nigeria standards for drinking water (SON 2007) and WHO (Guidelines for drinking water quality: incorporating 1st and 2nd Addlenda. World Health Organization, Geneva, 2004) for drinking water. Although Pb was present in two out of the fifteen water samples with a mean value of (0.0324 mg/L) which was also above the highest permissible value. The mean concentrations of Zn (0.2149 mg/L) and Cu (0.0341 mg/L) are found to be below the highest permissible value of the mentioned guideline while no trace of Ni was found in the water samples across the two sampling locations. The mean HPI 518.55 is far above the critical value of 100, indicates that selected water samples are critically polluted with heavy metals. MI revealed low quality water with mean value 4.83, suggests that the selected water is seriously affected with the present of heavy metal. The Hakanson PERI indicated that of the five heavy metals, the risk coefficient of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ni had light levels of contamination while the level of Cd contamination posed the most serious potential ecological risk, with an index value between 14.1 and 234. The study concluded that order of magnitude to this five heavy metals contamination is Cd > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni.
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Papers by Adeyemi Azeem
Air pollution can cause health problems and it can also damage the environment and property. It has caused thinning of the protective ozone layer of the atmosphere, which is leading to climate change.
The significance of environmental factors to the health and well-being of human populations’ is increasingly apparent (Rosenstock 2003; World Health Organization, 2010b). Environment pollution is a worldwide problem and its potential to influence the health of human populations is great (Fereidoun et al, 2007; Progressive Insurance, 2005.). Pollution reaches its most serious proportions in the densely settled urban-industrial centers of the more developed countries (Kromm, 1973). In poor countries of the world more than 80% polluted water have been used for irrigation with only seventy to eighty percent food and living security in industrial urban and semi urban areas. (Mara & Cairncross, 1989).