ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AMONG RESIDENTS OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study Assessment of Awareness of the Causes and Effects of Atmospheric Pollution among residents of Rivers State, Nigeria. The general objectives of this study is to assess the level of awareness of the residents of Rivers State regarding the Causes and Effects of Atmospheric Pollution in Rivers State. The dissertation has six (6) research questions and six (6) hypothesis that guided the study. The research design adopted was survey plan of simple random sampling, with a population of 42 respondents that returned the questionnaires. Instrumentation used in data collection were oral interview and the structured questionnaires, which was administered to the respondents. The statistical tool used in testing the hypothesis is Chi-Square. The indicators such as gas faring, bush burning, use of old cars, road construction, automobile exhaust emission, pipeline explosion etc were identified as the Causes of atmospheric pollution in Rivers State. Also indicators such as respiratory morbidities, deterioration of building materials such as roofing sheets, paints, precious stones, walls, presence of sooths in rain water, blighting of crops were identified as effects of the depreciation of air quality in Rivers State. As regard the level of awareness of the people on the causes and effects of atmospheric pollution, it was well adduced that the people are aware of the causes and effects of atmospheric pollution, but could not do anything to salvage the situation due to poor government policies on the mitigations of atmospheric pollution in Rivers State. Suggestions and recommendations aimed at mitigating the ugly trend were provided such as making of policies by the state government to stop the gas flaring, illegal refineries, the use of fissile fuel as to use renewable energy in powering their generators, cars, heavy duty power plants etc.