Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Trace Metals Emission from the Combustion of Tyres in A Nigeria Abattoir

Abstract

Air samples from two different abattoir environment where vehicle tyres and wood are used to burn cattle skin to remove the fur were collected to examine the concentration levels of suspended particulate matter and some trace metals. The samples were collected with a portable high volume sampler and allowed to pass through a membrane filter which was dried in a dessicator and weighed. The samples were then analysed for suspended particulate matter (SPM) and trace metals. The samples were then digested and analysed for  trace metals using the atomic absorption emission spectrophotometry (AAES). A calibration curve was developed to determine the metal concentrations. The suspended particulate matter from burning tyre emissions ranged from 45-88.3 mm/m³, while those of the firewood emissions ranged from 6.51-6.57 mm/m³_. Trace metals analysed in the abattoir were tyre burning was used were iron (Fe): 0.023-0.063mg/m³, zinc (Zn): 0.009-0.060mg/m³, while chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and vanadium (V) were undetected. In the abattoir where wood was used, only Zn metal was detected and ranged from 0.002-0.032mg/m³. However, total SPM detected at the abattoir where tyre was used exceeded the World Health Organization recommended value in the environment and this could pose deleterious to the environment.  

Keywords: Suspended particulate matter, Trace metals, Abattoir, Environment, Pollution.