Assessment and Modeling of Particulate Matter at a Major Intersection in Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

Purpose: The intersection under investigation is a transit point for many people including students of various institutions and it is usually chaotic and dense at peak period with many vehicles exhausting various forms of gases called particulate matter (PM) at point of no movement and as they transit. Design/Methodology/Approach: The traffic volume was determined manually and classified. SETRA systems 8000 series particle-counter was used to determine the level of PM and the obtained data was authenticated using various models. Findings: The total traffic volume of 2,622 Vh/hr/day was obtained as the highest producing PM2.5 and PM10 of 6.38 µg/m3 and 208.67 µg/m3 respectively, at temperature of 35.3 ºC and relative humidity of 75 %. The CO concentration of 19ppm - 44ppm was also obtained after sampling with gas detector. Practical Implications: It was then concluded that traffic and PM production will exceed current levels if left unchecked, which will eventually lead to gradual loss of human life and environmental degradation. Social Implication: Particulate matters impact the human body and the environment which also depends on factors such as their size, shape, concentration, composition, and how they are grouped together. Originality and Value: These shows that human life is at risk because of constant assimilation of fossil fuel into the body system and is prevalent at high traffic volume points.