Crude Oil Exploration Activities and Particulate Matter Pollutants Concentration in Selected Rivers East and Rivers South-East Senatorial Communities, Rivers State

The study examined crude oil exploration activities and particulate matter pollutants concentration in selected Rivers East and Rivers South-East communities, Rivers State. The study adopted the completely randomized block design (CRBD). Ambient air quality readings were taken in-situ in four (4) stations (two each from each of the communities) using the Aero Qual 500 Series (Gas Monitor), GT 321 Particulate Metre, Automated Global Position System (GPS), and Extech Meteorology Metre, While mean and clustered column chart was used to analyze the data. The study revealed the concentrations of 694 ppm and 613 ppm for CO2 in Bodo and Igwuruta communities respectively which were higher than the WHO daily approved limit of 462 ppm. The study further revealed that the higher concentration of particulate matter pollutants (PMPs) like (NO2 = 0.098 μg/m3, O3 = 0.04 μg/m3, So2 = 0.00 μg/m3, H2S = 0.01 μg/m3, CH4 =0 μg/m3, CO = 0.5 μg/m3, NH3 =0.3 μg/m3, Pm 2.5 = 0.022 μg/m3, Pm 10 = 0.018 μg/m3, temperature = 34.6 oC) obtained at the Bodo artisanal refining sites and that obtained at the Igwuruts flow station were all still within the WHO daily approved limits for the specific PMPs. Also, the excessive concentration of CO2 accentuates the presence of soot that exacerbates the discolouration of vegetation as well as poor air quality, residents’ high susceptibility to skin diseases, cancer and respiratory ailments, intense heat, respiratory complications like cough, carthar, etc. The study recommended amongst others that more trees should be planted to absorb the excess CO2 that accentuates the buildup of soot that damage the built environment; destroy car windshield, roof surfaces, house floors and windows and also, causing health risk of rashes, aging, asthma, bronchitis on the residents around the environs of the Agbada/Igwuruta flow station and Bodo artisanal refining site.