Environmental Health Effects of Exposure to Air Pollution in Industrialized Areas

Abstract

Naturally, most people tend to associate air pollution problem with the coming of industrial revolution in the early 60’s. Such problems in one form or another have plagued the human race for centuries. The earliest pollutant noted in the atmosphere was probably of natural origin. Ash, fumes, smoke and forest fires, sand and dust from windstorm in arid region, dews during dry season were part of our environment long before human –induced or anthropogenic problem came on the scene. Although polluted air may not be ideal from the biological point of view, we may treat its behaviour with respect to temperature and pressure as if it were ideal. Therefore, we assume that at the same temperature and pressure, different kinds of gases have densities proportional to their molecular masses. Consequently, the concept of pollution control begins with minimization of the general waste. In Nigeria, Environmental Protection Agency was established under Decree No. 58 of 1988 to investigate and describe the environmental effect of any air pollutant emitted by stationary or mobile source, that may adversely affect human health or the environment. Example is the indiscriminate burning of solid waste at open dumps,which generates air contaminants like dust,smokes,mist and odour causing injurious to human,plant,animal or property.