A COMPARISON OF PARTICULATE MATTER (DUST) LEVELS IN BWARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABUJA AND EBONYI-SOUTH AREA OF EBONYI STATE PROXIMAL TO QUARRY SITES USING SENTINEL 5P.

ABSTRACT

This study accessed the levels of PM_2.5 (Dust) concentration in two study areas in Nigeria, namely Bwari Local Government Area of Abuja and Ebonyi-South Area of Ebonyi state, for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. Secondary data for PM_2.5 was assessed from Google Earth Engine. Raw data was processed, classified, and represented using ArcGIS10.4. Results showed that the highest concentration of PM_2.5 was observed in the first half of 2022 with a mean of 0.683 µgm^-3, and a minimum and maximum concentration value of 0.412 µgm^-3 and 0.949 µgm^-3 respectively, compared to Ebonyi-south which was observed to have a mean of 0.539 µgm^-3 and a minimum and maximum of 0.160 µgm^-3 and 0.752 µgm^-3­ respectively. This is probably due to an increase in the quarrying, construction and transportation activities to support the rapidly growing population and economy in both areas of study. High levels of PM_2.5 and Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause a number of health problems, which includes including stroke, type 2 diabetes, lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory infections (like pneumonia), and adverse birth outcomes. This research study suggests stringent industrial emission regulations with penalties for noncompliance, proper sensitization of residents in high concentration areas to the acute and long-term effects of PM2.5, additional research on the sources and negative health implications of high concentration and long-term exposure to PM_2.5 in both study areas.