Air Quality Perception, Health Cost Implications and NESREA Standard Compliance of Noise Pollution levels among Medium and Large Scale Agro-allied Industries in South West, Nigeria

The study evaluated air quality perception, health cost implications and standard comparism of noise pollution levels among medium and large scale agro-allied industries in Southwest, Nigeria. Specifically, the study evaluated perception of air quality level of M&LSAI managers; examined the health cost implications of industrial air and noise pollution in M&LSAI; and ascertained noise pollution level within and around M&LSAI in comparism with permissible limit from NESREA. Multi-stage sampling techniques was employed in selection of 287 MLS agro-allied industries. Data for this study were obtained from primary sources with the use of semi-structured questionnaire. The objectives were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as one-way sample t test and independent t test. From the result, greater proportion (44.6% and 43.1%) of medium and large scale agro-allied industry managers had perceived air quality level to be acceptable with moderate health concern and that members of sensitive groups may experience certain health effects within the agro-allied industry. The result on the noise pollution level in M&LSAI revealed that medium scale agro-allied industries an average noise level of 97.14dB and 65.3dB average noise level around the industry. In the same vein, large scale agro-allied industries produced an average noise level of 110.06dB within the industry and 65.4dB average noise level around the industry. With respect to health implications, medium scale agro-allied industries, majority (90.5%, 91.0%, 88.7%) perceived the following health issues viz: wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache and nausea; increased fatigue; and coughing to be health consequences of air pollution as they have occurred 3.43, 2.59 and 3.18 times respectively while stress (86.5%) was recorded to have occurred 2.50 times in the industry. Similarly, majority (100.0%, 100.0%, 75.4%, 78.5%, 100% and 100.0) of large scale agro-allied industries perceived wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache and nausea; increased fatigue; shortness of breath; chest tightness; irritation of eyes, nose and throat; and coughing to be health consequences of air pollution as they have occurred 3.74, 2.51, 3.03, 2.58, 2.69 and 3.57 times in the industry respectively while high blood pressure (100%) and stress (100.0%) were perceived to be health consequences of noise pollution in the study area and were recorded 2.23 and 2.98 times respectively. Also, given the national minimum wage of ₦30,000 on the average, medium scale agro-allied industries spend 65.0% less the national minimum wage on health management with regards to air and noise pollution quarterly while large scale agro-allied industries spend 199.0% above the national minimum wage for health management with regards to air and noise pollution quarterly. The study recommended the Nigerian government strengthens regulatory frameworks, enhance monitoring capabilities, and provide incentives for industries to invest in cleaner technologies.