The impact of air pollution on urban health in Nigeria: Possible solutions
Department of Economics, Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology, 2023, 09(01), 043–051.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjst.2023.9.1.0058
Publication history:
Received on 07 August 2023; revised on 25 September 2023; accepted on 27 September 2023
Abstract:
Air pollution has been a major topic of discussion due to its detrimental impact on health and the environment as a result of the urban population's explosive development and associated human activities. The main objective of the study is to give a critical review of the causes, impacts, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for reducing air pollution with an emphasis on urban centers in Nigeria. The study adopted natural approaches to address/improve air quality and lessen health risks related to the emission of hazardous substances. To work with nature rather than against it, however, there must be cooperation between the government and its agent, the community, non-governmental organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations, associations, union bodies, young people, women, and people with disabilities, as well as support from international organizations. The study carried out showed that human activities are the major source of air pollution in Nigeria through the release of harmful gaseous substances, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, particles and heavy metal and this pollution is extremely dangerous due to the particles and substance discharged into the atmosphere. The findings contribute to the limited body of literature that already exists on the detrimental effects of ambient air pollution on respiratory health that are experienced by residents of urban cities in specific regions of Nigeria and other cities that are similar to those in Nigeria. In order to reduce air pollution in our urban centers, the study suggested adopting Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
Keywords:
Air pollution; Urban cities; Human health; Nature-based Solutions (NbS); Sustainable development goal (SDG)
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0