TITLE:
Air Quality Impacts of Smallholder Oil Palm Processing in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Elijah I. Ohimain, Sylvester C. Izah, Stephen O. Abah
KEYWORDS:
Air Emissions; Noise; Oil Palm Processing; Pollutant Gases
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.8A,
August
12,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Air emissions during palm oil
processing by smallholders are issues of public health concern demanding urgent
intervention by environmentalist. In this study, six smallholder oil palm processing
mills were studied inElele,Nigeria. Air
emission parameters (NO2, NH3, CO, H2S, SO2,
VOC), noise and meteorology (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and
pressure) were determined at three distances (10 ft,25 ftand50 ft) in both wind ward
and lee ward directions from the mills covering boiling and digestion
activities. The emissions from biomass were found to be significantly higher
than that from fossil diesel, while noise was higher during digestion. The
health implications of air emissions were discussed. The study concluded by
directing attentions of regulatory agencies to monitor the activities of smallholder
oil palm processing to ensure the environmental sustainability of their
operations. In summary, evidence during boiling activity revealed that:
· H2S ranged from - 2.400 ppm at10 ft, - 2.067 ppm at25 ftand - 0.833 ppm at50 ftfrom the mills in
the wind ward direction, and - 1.167 ppm at10 ft, - 0.567 ppm at25 ftand - 0.367 ppm at50ftdistance from the mills in lee ward direction and was significantly lower
during digestion.
· SPM ranged from 1634 - 7853 μg/m3 at10 ft,
657 - 1110 μg/m3 at25 ftand 81 - 854 μg/m3 at50 ftfrom the mills in the wind ward direction, and 46 - 236 μg/m3 at10 ft,
44 - 120 μg/m3 at25 ftand 30 - 58 μg/m3 at50 ftfrom the mills in lee ward direction. SPM was significantly lower during
digestion.
· VOC ranged from 67 - 13.933 ppm at10 ft, 1.033 - 13.133 ppm at25ftand 0.500 -