Meteorological and Air Pollution Assessment from Road Use and Construction in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions (Ghana)

Abstract

The study identified the impacts of air pollutants and their relationships with meteorological parameters. Pollutants generated from road construction and use compared with WHO and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) guidelines revealed the median of PM₁₀ (76µg/m³), PM_2.5 (26.1µg/m³), NO₂ (36µg/m³), SO₂ (236 µg/m³), noise (75dBA) at Somanya sampling location were above the WHO guidelines for air quality. Whiles PM₁₀, SO_2, and noise were above the (GSA) permissible limits. The Mataheko location had median values of PM₁₀ (100.4 µg/m³), PM_2.5 (24.9µg/m³), NO₂ (41.0 µg/m³), SO₂ (26 µg/m³), noise (75.5 dBA) above the WHO limits, whereas only noise and PM₁₀, were above the GSA limits for ambient air quality. Construction activities released PM_10, PM_2.5, NO₂, SO_2, and noise above WHO and GSA limits. Though the quantities detected are not directly comparable to air quality recommendations, which are based on 24-hour or annual averages, they raise concerns about public health and policy.

Keywords: road, road construction, air pollutants, atmospheric parameters, Ghana

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-3-04

Publication date:March 31^st 2022