Air Quality Monitoring Along Ikpa Road, Akwa Ibom State

ABSTRACT Air quality is a critical aspect of environmental health, influencing both human wellbeing and the ecosystem. Poor Air quality can lead to severe health issues such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. In urban areas, there are high levels of pollutants from various sources such as traffic, industrial wastes. This study investigated Air Quality status along Ikpa Road, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using digital air quality monitors. The research aimed at assessing the levels of air contaminants, identifying potential sources and evaluates their implications on human health. The parameters monitored were: Nitrogen (IV) Oxide (NO2), Sulphur (IV) Oxide (SO2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Carbon (II) Oxide (CO), Carbon (IV) Oxide (CO2), and Particulate matter (PM2.5). The mean concentrations of the air contaminants and their Air Quality Indices are as follows: Nitrogen (IV) Oxide (0.405±0.013 ppm), Sulphur (IV) Oxide (0.505±0.006 ppm), Hydrogen sulphide (0.20±0.008 ppm), Carbon (II) Oxide (8.00±0.082 ppm), Carbon (IV) Oxide (871±0.817 ppm), and PM2.5 (118.75±0.957 µg/m3). The results were compared with the recommended Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) standards and the results showed that NO2, SO2, CO and PM2.5 were higher than their standards, while CO2, and H2S were within their limits. The outcome of this study indicated that strict strategies should be implemented by the government and its regulatory Agencies to monitor the level of air contaminants and forestall their associated consequences in the State. KEY WORDS: Air Monitoring, Air Pollution, Uyo, Human health problems, and Nigeria.