AMBIENT LEVELS OF GASEOUS, PARTICULATE AND BIO-AEROSOL POLLUTANTS IN FARM SETTLEMENTS ACROSS OGUN STATE, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This study assessed the levels of air pollutants emitted outdoor of farm settlements (FS), the seasonal and temporal variations, and the relationship among the parameters monitored. Seven FS within Ogun State were investigated, with 211 sampling points established across the FS. The concentrations of VOCs, SO2, NO2, CO, O3, NH3, CO2, TSP, PM2.5 and PM10 were monitored in replicates using active potable samplers while bacteria and fungi were isolated using settle plate technique. Descriptive (means and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tools (Pearson correlation) were used to analyse the data. The mean ranges of VOCs, CO and CO2 (ppm); 20.8±10.53 – 48.67±19.05, 17.95±6.65 – 21.5±3.93, 3562.15±1200.85  –  4266±1176.85, and for bacteria and fungi (cfu/m3); 548.98±1.18 – 2255.01±1.27 and 525.68±1.15 – 1282.38±1.27 respectively were above the threshold limits. There were significant seasonal, spatial and temporal differences among observed means of VOCs, CO2 O3, TSP, PM2.5, and fungi. The bacteria and fungi count increased as TSP, PM2.5 and PM10 increased. The study established that levels of air pollutants are dependent on the type of farming practice.