Madu Francis Ugochukwu, Iroha Akubugwo Emmanuel, Ekwutosi Ogbulie Toochukwu, Obinwa Uhegbu Friday, Agoro Eni-Yimini Solomon, Ulunma Nwosu Oluchi, Ugbonma Ugenyi Assumpta, Ononogbo Purity Chioma, Madu Miracle Chinwenmeri
Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
Toxicol Ind Health. 2025 Jul;41(7):374-385. doi: 10.1177/07482337251349359. Epub 2025 Jun 8.
This study assessed the concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), and hydrogen sulfide (HS) in chemical stores at Ogbete Market, Enugu, and Ogbo-ogwu Market, Onitsha, southeastern Nigeria, during the wet season (June to August 2024). Air quality measurements, taken from six randomly selected stores in each market and a control site (clothing store) located at about 900 m away, revealed that while concentrations of SO and NO far exceeded public health guidelines (WHO), they remained below Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits. However, chronic low-level exposure, even within OSHA limits, can still lead to respiratory symptoms and reduced work productivity over time, especially in poorly ventilated indoor shops. Sampling was conducted at a height of 2 m above ground to reflect the breathing zone of an average adult, with data collected during morning and afternoon sessions to capture fluctuations in market activity. Using the Aeroqual Series 300 gas monitor, real-time results indicated hazardous conditions in many stores, and exposure factor-adjusted air concentrations (EF-AACs) were calculated to assess actual exposure scenarios. Hazard quotients (HQs) for each pollutant showed a concerning risk of respiratory diseases, particularly from SO and NO exposure, with multiple stores exhibiting HQ values greater than 1. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved ventilation and stricter regulations in these markets, while also contributing to the limited research on air quality in commercial environments in Nigeria. This study lays the foundation for future interventions aimed at protecting the health of workers in informal markets, advancing public health initiatives in regions with underdeveloped regulatory frameworks.
本研究评估了尼日利亚东南部埃努古的奥格贝特市场和奥尼查的奥博奥格武市场化学用品店内二氧化硫（SO）、二氧化氮（NO）和硫化氢（HS）在雨季（2024年6月至8月）的浓度。在每个市场随机选取的六家店铺以及距离约900米处的一个对照点（服装店）进行空气质量测量，结果显示，虽然SO和NO的浓度远远超过了公共卫生指南（世界卫生组织），但仍低于职业安全与健康管理局（OSHA）的限值。然而，即使在OSHA限值范围内，长期低水平暴露仍可能随着时间推移导致呼吸道症状并降低工作效率，尤其是在通风不良的室内店铺。采样在离地面2米的高度进行，以反映普通成年人的呼吸区域，数据在上午和下午时段收集，以捕捉市场活动的波动。使用Aeroqual系列300气体监测仪，实时结果表明许多店铺存在危险状况，并计算了暴露因子调整后的空气浓度（EF - AACs）以评估实际暴露情况。每种污染物的危险商数（HQs）显示出呼吸道疾病的令人担忧的风险，特别是来自SO和NO暴露，多家店铺的HQ值大于1。研究结果突出表明，这些市场迫切需要改善通风并加强监管，同时也为尼日利亚商业环境空气质量方面有限的研究做出了贡献。本研究为未来旨在保护非正规市场工人健康的干预措施奠定了基础，推动了监管框架欠发达地区的公共卫生倡议。
