The Impact of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Pollution on Respiratory Health in Eleme and Port-Harcourt Local Government Areas of Rivers State from 2015-2019

Inspired by the noticeable presence of soot in the environment, particularly in the Port Harcourt metropolis, this study sought to examine the correlation between particulate matter (PM2.5) levels and the prevalence of respiratory diseases in the Port Harcourt and Eleme Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study period spanned from 2016 to 2019, with data on respiratory tract infections (RTIs) obtained from the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital Ogale, while data were PM2.5 are remotely sensed. The RTI and PM2.5 data were analysed using ANOVA and Spearman’s rank correlation statistics. The research findings revealed significant variations in PM2.5 concentrations across the study areas. During the study period, PM2.5 levels consistently exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual permissible threshold of 10 µg/m³, thereby exacerbating cases of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The epidemiological profile of RTIs identified four primary diseases: Asthma, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The results showed a marked difference in PM2.5 concentrations between the two LGAs. The mean monthly variation from 2016 to 2019 indicated that Port Harcourt recorded a January level of 47.27 µg/m³, while Eleme recorded 47.16 µg/m³. The lowest mean values for both locations occurred in September and October, highlighting a significant seasonal influence on PM2.5 concentration. Both PM2.5 levels and the incidence of RTIs increased steadily in the study areas from 2016 to 2019. This research underscores the need for regulatory authorities to rigorously monitor the operations of companies potentially contributing to atmospheric pollution, provide clear guidance for compliance, and enforce strict sanctions and substantial fines for violations of established environmental standards to mitigate air pollution.