Investigating the influence natural and anthropogenic air pollution sources upon school environments in a Global South metropolis using a low-cost source apportionment approach

Air pollution poses a significant global health concern, particularly for children, who are especially vulnerable due to their developing bodies¹. This research examines particulate matter (PM) levels and their sources at three schools in Port Harcourt, the largest and capital city of Rivers State in Nigeria. It is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria with air quality highly impacted by the oil and gas industry. Low-cost source apportionment techniques were employed that use the size distribution of PM to fingerprint air pollution sources². The approach allows for a highly detailed understanding of the risks of exposure faced by both students and staff across rainy and dry seasons. By employing affordable sensors, PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ levels were measured, revealing frequent exceedances of WHO air quality standards. During school hours, indoor PM concentrations were found to surpass outdoor levels, influenced by internal sources and the penetration of outdoor pollutants. Seasonal differences were evident, with elevated PM levels during the dry season largely attributed to Harmattan desert dust, while anthropogenic emissions were the primary contributors during the rainy season. These findings highlight the pressing need for interventions to reduce PM exposure in schools and comparable urban environments affected by natural and anthropogenic pollution. This study offers practical recommendations to minimize exposure risks and enhance air quality in educational spaces globally.

 

¹ Rose, O.G., D. Bousiotis, C. Rathbone and F.D. Pope (2024) Investigating Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Student’s Exposure Within School Classrooms: Using a Low-Cost Sensor and Source Apportionment Approach, Indoor Air, vol. 2024, Article ID 5544298, https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5544298

² Bousiotis, D., Allison, G., Beddows, D.C., Harrison, R.M. and Pope, F.D., 2023. Towards comprehensive air quality management using low-cost sensors for pollution source apportionment. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 6(1), p.122. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-023-00424-0