Measurement and characterization of ambient air pollutants in selected industrial areas of Kaduna, Nigeria

Authors

  • J. Lawal
    Department of Air Traffic Service and Commucation, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Nigeria
  • A. A. Tyovenda
    Departement of Physics, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State Nigeria
  • H. Lawal
    Department of Internal Audit, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Nigeria
  • M. U. Sarki
    Departement of Physics , Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
  • J. A. Lawal
    Department of Physics, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, Nigeria
  • D. A. Ismaila
    Department of Management School, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Nigeria
  • D. S. Igba
    Departement of Physics, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State Nigeria

Keywords:

Air pollution, Particulate matter, Gaseous pollutants, WHO standards, Kaduna State

Abstract

Air pollution from industrial sources is a critical environmental and public health concern in Nigeria. This study measured concentrations of gaseous pollutants (CO, NO, NO2, SO2, H2S, NH3) and particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) in selected industrial areas of Kaduna Metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria. Five major stationary emission sources Kaduna Refinery, Indomie Factory, Hikman Gas Plant, PZ Cusson Factory, and A.A. Rano Diesel Plant were sampled at distances of 10--100 m from emission points. Results showed that pollutant concentrations decreased exponentially with distance due to atmospheric dispersion. Comparisons with WHO 24-hour guideline limits(CO: 4.00 μg/m3; PM2.5: 5.00 μg/m3; PM10: 20.00 μg/m3) revealed significant exceedances at four functional sites. At Indomie Factory, CO (18.71 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (32.95 μg/m3)  exceeded limits by factors of 4.7 and 6.6. At Hikman Gas Plant, CO (15.30 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (24.55 μg/m3) exceeded limits by factors of 3.8 and 4.9. At PZ Cusson Factory, CO (16.18 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (32.45 μg/m3) exceeded limits by factors of 4.0 and 6.5. At A.A. Rano Diesel Plant,(17.96 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (27.89 μg/m3) exceeded limits by factors of 4.5 and 5.6. PM10 at Indomie Factory (60.07 μg/m3) exceeded the WHO limit by a factor of 3. The non-operational Kaduna Refinery recorded values within permissible limits. Diesel generator exhaust was identified as the major contributor (CO--PM2.5: r = 0.82, p < 0.01). The study recommends routine monitoring, cleaner energy adoption, and stricter enforcement of air quality standards.

Dimensions

[1] World Health Organization, ``WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM$_{2.5}$ and PM$_{10}$), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide'', WHO regional office for Europe (2021). Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228.

[2] P. M. Mannucci & M. Franchini, ``Health effects of ambient air pollution in developing countries'', International journal of environmental research and public health 14 (2017) 1048. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14091048.

[3] F. Kunt, Z. C. Ayturan, F. Y"{u}m"{u}n, .{I}. Karag"{o}nen, M. Semerci & M. Akg"{u}n, ``Modeling and assessment of PM$_{10}$ and atmospheric metal pollution in Kayseri province, Turkey'', Atmosphere 14 (2023) 356. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020356.

[4] S. Sonwani & P. Saxena, ``Identifying the sources of primary air pollutants and their impact on environmental health: a review'', International journal of engineering technology and research 6 (2016) 2454. Available online: https://www.apsi.tech/material/introductory/IdentifyingtheSourcesofPrimaryAirPollutants.pdf.

[5] F. Kunt, Z. C. Ayturan, F. Y"{u}m"{u}n, .{I}. Karag"{o}nen, M. Semerci & M. Akg"{u}n, ``Measurement and evaluation of particulate matter and atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Konya province, Turkey'', Environmental monitoring and assessment 193 (2021) 637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09428-w.

[6] C. A. Pope III, M. C. Turner, R. T. Burnett, M. Jerrett, S. M. Gapstur, W. R. Diver, D. Krewski & R. D. Brook, ``Relationships between fine particulate air pollution, cardiometabolic disorders, and cardiovascular mortality'', Circulation research 116 (2015) 108. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.305060.

[7] A. N. Nwachukwu, E. O. Chukwuocha & O. Igbudu, ``A survey on the effects of air pollution on diseases of the people of Rivers State, Nigeria'', African journal of environmental science and technology 6 (2012) 371. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST12.024.

[8] O. E. Abioye, L. A. Sunmonu, A. I. Ajao, O. E. Akinola, M. A. Ayoola & O. O. Jegede, ``Atmospheric dispersion modeling of uncontrolled gaseous pollutants (SO$_2$ and NO$_x$) emission from a scrap-iron recycling factory in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria'', Cogent environmental science 2 (2016) 1275413. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311843.2016.1275413.

[9] S. H. Nimyel & M. M. Namadi, ``Determination of selected air quality parameters in Zaria and its environs, Kaduna State, Nigeria'', Journal of applied sciences and environmental management 23 (2019) 1505. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v23i8.14.

[10] T. Oladimeji, J. Sonibare, M. Odunfa & A. Ayeni, ``Modeling of criteria air pollutant emissions from selected Nigeria petroleum refineries'', Journal of power and energy engineering 3 (2015) 31. https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2015.36004.

[11] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ``Addendum: user's guide for the AMS/EPA regulatory model--AERMOD (EPA-454/B-03-001)'', U.S. Environmental protection agency (2015). Available online: https://downloads.regulations.gov/EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0310-0016/content.pdf.

[12] S. M. Shiada, S. D. Igba, O. Shiekar & E. A. Damian, ``Simulation of the influence of cloud density on the removal of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants at the Dangote cement factory by rain'', African scientific reports 4 (2025) 278. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2025.4.2.278.

fig 2

Published

2026-06-08

How to Cite

Measurement and characterization of ambient air pollutants in selected industrial areas of Kaduna, Nigeria. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(2), 363. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.2.363

Issue

Volume 5, Issue 2, August 2026

Section

PHYSICS SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 J. Lawal, A. A. Tyovenda, H. Lawal, M. U. Sarki, J. A. Lawal, D. A. Ismaila, D. S. Igba

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Measurement and characterization of ambient air pollutants in selected industrial areas of Kaduna, Nigeria. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(2), 363. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.2.363

Similar Articles

81-90 of 99

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.