Assessment of Particulate Air Quality in Ho Municipality, Ghana
B. B. K. Keteku
Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Ghana
N. Bakobie *
Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Ghana
R. Adongo
Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Ghana
A. B. Duwiejuah
Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Ghana
S. Sovoe
Environmental Protection Agency, Volta Region, Ho, Ghana
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The study was to assess particulate air quality in some selected areas in the Ho municipality.
Study Design: Thirty (30) samples were collected from ten (10) different sites in the Ho municipality using Mini Vol air sampler.
Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from ten (10) different sites in the Ho municipality in the months of October, January and February, 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Methodology: Samples collected were taken to Ho Environmental Protection Agency’s laboratory for the analysis of the PM10 concentration levels.
Results: Most of the PM10 concentration values from the study were within the World Health Organization’s standard. However, some values which were higher than 50 µg/m3 and 70 µg/m3 for WHO and Ghana EPA guidelines respectively. Based on Ministry of Population and Environment (MOPE) classification in Nepal, sample sites VRH and URB falls in “moderate” category (60 to 120 μg/m3), sample sites EPA, HP, HK, GH, SB and L falls in “unhealthy” category (121 µg/m3 to 350 μg/m3) and sample sites CC and CP fall in “hazardous” category (< 450 μg/m3) in the month of February.
Conclusion: The residents in some of the sampling sites could be at risk of the particulate air pollution.
Keywords: Air quality, Ghana, mortality, particulate matter