Determination of Ambient Air Quality Status Through Assessment of Particulate Matter and Selected Gases

Ambient air quality measurement is an integral part of environmental monitoring since human exposure to air pollutants could result in a range of health hazards depending on the type of pollutant, concentration, length and frequency of exposure and the accompanying toxicity of the specific pollutant. The objective of this survey was to measure the concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Ozone (O3), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) from three selected locations A, B and C in Kenya using the portable HAZ-SCANNER system (HIM 6000). The sole choice of the three locations was informed by the nature of activities and humans working at them, thus, justifying their sensitivity. This endeavour would present some vital data on the ambience status with respect to the detected and quantified air pollutants that are potential for health risks. Minimum, maximum and average concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Ozone (O3), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) were recorded with utmost precision. The results indicated that NOx, O3, PM2.5 and PM10 in location A, PM2.5 and PM10, NOx, SO2 and O3 in location B, and NOx, PM2.5 and PM10 in location C surpassed the permissible confines stipulated in the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines (AQG) of 2021. The presented results will form the basis from which the managements of the respective organizations will draw their safety measures hence offer sustainable protection to their workers through periodical monitoring and applicable personal protective equipment (PPE).