Comparative Assessment of Air Quality Status at Abura Market, Kotokuraba Market and University of Cape Coast Science Market

Air pollution is one of the major environmental problems, which in urban areas reaches an exceptional degree due to high population density and economic activities. Therefore, this study provides a comparative assessment of air quality at three main markets: Abura Market, Kotokuraba Market, and UCC Science Market. in Cape Coast metropolis using air quality detector D9. The main aim is to measure and contrast levels of main air pollutants, such as PM2.5, PM10, CO2, HCHO, and TVOC, between these markets other specific objectives are;To measure the concentration level of CO2, VOCS, PM2.5, CO2, PM10 HCHO using air quality detector D9 between 6am and 8am in the morning and 4pm and 6pm in the evenimg. To compare the air quality data obtained from the three markets to determine which area has the highest and lowest levels of pollution in Cape Coast metropolis. Air quality detector D9 collects data on PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and HCHO were recorded at 2 minutes intervals over a span of 2 hours in both the morning and evening for a period of two weeks in each market. This data collection was conducted at various points within each market. SPSS and excel was used to analyze the data. The results indicate a wide variability in air quality between the three markets. The highest level of PM2.5 (51.8 µg/m³) and PM10 (69.2 µg/m³), which is above the WHO guidelines, occurred at Abura Market, especially in the evening. UCC Science Market showed a high reading of PM in the morning where PM2.5 was 38.8 µg/m3 and PM10 of 45.3 µg/m3 slightly above the WHO guidelines. CO2 levels in all the markets were above the safety limits, indicating possible ventilation problems.TVOC and HCHO apper to be negligible or close to zero in all the three markets in bboth morning and eveving. These results call for the implementation of focused interventions to ameliorate air quality in these markets. Other recommended measures to be taken include constant air quality monitoring, education of the public on pollution prevention, and increased control over vehicle and industrial emissions within the vicinity of markets. Implementation of such is very necessary to minimize health risks related to poor air quality in Cape Coast’s markets.