EFFECTS OF PIG PRODUCTION ON AMBIENT AIR QUALITY OF EGBEADA IN MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Ubuoh, Emmanuel. Attah* and Akhionbare, Stella M. O.**

^*Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

^** Dept. of Environmental Management, Federal University of Technology, Owerri

E-mail: attahubuoh@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT                                                                                       

The study of air quality was carried out in Egbeada, Mbaitoli, Owerri, Imo state during January, 2011, to ascertain impacts of piggery production on human environment. Air quality samples were taken at distant that ranged from 50m, 100m, 150m, and 200m using appropriate procedures. Air quality indices considered include odour, NO₂, SO₂,NH₃, CO, H₂S, CH₄, and PM. The results indicated that, concentrations of air quality indices decreased with an increased distant from piggery that was influenced by wind speed of  0.2 m/s. Apart from methane, all other indices were above the WHO/FMENV, Standards for ambient air quality. These were found to have very serious epidemiological implications on human health and his environment. This then lead to recommendations: implementation of air quality standard to observe compliance, relocations of piggery and using of helmet by workers for sustainable piggery production.

Keywords: Ambient, Air Quality, Pig, Pollutant