Assessing the level of Particulate Matter and Carbon Monoxide exposure in the Kaase Community of Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.
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Date
September, 2019
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Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is made of solid and liquid particles from industry, traffic, domestic
heating and various natural sources while carbon monoxide (CO) is scentless and profoundly
poisonous gas, virtually undetectable by an individual during exposure. Both PM and CO
pose some health problems. This study looked at the occupational and environmental health
risks of exposure to CO and PM from biomass (car tyre and firewood smoke). The PM and
CO monitoring and sampling took place in two locations (the abattoir area and 100 meters
into the community) purposively selected from Kaasi Community, in the Asokwa
Municipality of Kumasi- Ghana. The meat preparation technologies identified was the use of
car tyre and firewood. Measurement were made on a minute basis using Aeroqual Series 500
(S500) gas monitor for CO and Environmental Particulate Air Monitor (EPAM-7500) for
PM. It was discovered that, CO and PM concentrations in the abattoir area were higher than
that which was recorded in the community by a large margin of (an average five times) with a
mean of CO 5.78ppm and 1.31 ppm respectively. PM levels in abattoir area were higher than
the community. With PM 10, an average mean of 2.35 mg/m3 and .19 mg/m3 was seen in the
abattoir area and community, respectively. PM 2.5 was also higher in the abattoir area than
the community at an average of 1.50 mg/m3 and .14mg/m3 respectively. A sample t-test was
carried out to compare concentration levels with local and international standards and the
finding revealed that, it was within the acceptable rage for CO at (p<0.001) for USA-EPA but
statistically higher to WHO. PM10 and 2.5 were both statistically higher to WHO, USA-EPA
and G-EPA. Due to the higher concentration levels of PM to local and international
standard, both workers and community members exposed reported some health symptoms
and diseases (blurred vision, eye irritation, Hypertension, headache, nausea, asthma,
respiratory tract infection, muscular weakness, chest pain etc) associated with the exposure
to CO and PM. A regression analysis was carried out to check the duration of exposure and
associated health effects, and the finding showed that blurred vision was statistically
significant with CO exposure. Asthma and Hypertension were also statistically significant
with PM exposure for a longer exposure duration. It is recommended that, charcoal,
Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Biogas usage are the best in addressing CO and PM exposure.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety.
Keywords
Particulate Matter, Carbon Monoxide exposure, Kaase Community, Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana