COARSE AND FINE PARTICLE MATTER LEVELS IN A LARGE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT

Air quality assessment has been conducted at Ugbowo campus of university of Benin evaluating PM2.5 and PM10 samples and its meteorological parameters which were collected in the month of June and July using GPSMAP 78 (GARMIN), Particulate Air quality monitor DM106A. The experiment was carried out at a height of 1.5 to 2 meters, within the breathing zone of man, georeferencing each sampling site and noting the characteristics of the sample sites. The factors affecting the particle in the atmosphere were also taken into consideration such as the source of pollutant, strength of the source, distance from the source and meteorological parameters. The experiment was carried out in-situ relating it with the regulatory limit of the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME). Samples were taken from four different locations and one control location for four weeks. The first week of sampling gave PM2.5 and PM10 data which ranged from 31-130 µg/m3 and 15-157 µg/m3respectively, in week two PM2.5 and PM10 varied from 31-130 µg/m3and 40-142 µg/m3respectively, week three PM2.5 and PM10 ranged from 8-55 µg/m3and 9-73 µg/m3respectively and in week four PM2.5 and PM10 ranged from 5-20 µg/m3and 6-26 µg/m3respectively. Comparison of particulate matter reading with the recommended regulatory limit identified PM2.5 as a consistent violator of the WHO limit in the entire survey site. All locations were within the regulatory limit of PM10 apart from A2 at 66.5 µg/m3possibly due to its closeness to the main road (Benin express road).