Tonkiri Ayakeme*, J. Ebiagbe, Ebiere and A. Asara Azibalua

Department of Foundation Sciences, School of Foundation Studies, Bayelsa State College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tonkiriayakeme@gmail.com.

This paper assessed the environmental and health hazards emanating from the use of locally refined kerosene in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Pollutants levels of carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and NOx were technically measured using IMR1400 Combustion Gas Analyzer. Users’ exposure to fire explosions, health effects and hazard reduction measures were assessed through questionnaire survey. Results showed that pollutant concentrations from poorly refined kerosene at source point were far above WHO limits. The mean at source point concentrations of CO (916.00 ppm), SO2 (45.16 ppm) and NOx (0.42 ppm) exceeded the WHO limits of CO (10 ppm), SO2 (0.01) and NOx (0.04 to 0.06 ppm) significantly. The questionnaire survey confirmed the widespread use of the poorly refined kerosene (90.7% of the households) and users’ awareness of the health and environmental hazard implications of the use of this poorly refined kerosene was significant. Nigerian Government is therefore, called to intensify action towards the eradication of all illegal refineries in the area and also to ensure the provision of a steady electric power source as the primary energy source for household use.

Key words: Locally (poorly) refined kerosene, conventional refinery kerosene, Niger Delta Region, pollutant emission.