Evaluation of the concentration of particulate matter along Ibadan-Ilorin highway of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the impact of particulate matter (PM) along the Ibadan-Ilorin highway of Nigeria. The study was conducted in Ogbomoso-section of Ibadan-Ilorin highway of Nigeria at three different locations for the wet and dry seasons. The GT-321 particle counter was used to measure the PM. It has five selectable size ranges of 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 micron. The result of investigation showed that PM0.3 had highest percentage concentration values (87 – 96%) in all the selected location and in both seasons. The results of the research work showed that selected location and season had impact on the emission rate of the particle. All the selected sizes of PM had values more than ISO classes 1 -7 maximum concentrations limit. The study concludes that transport-related pollution is indeed significant within the study area with possible severe health consequences