Influence of Season on the Distribution of Volatile Organic Compounds from Small-Holder Cassava Processing Facility in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Seasonal influence on the distribution of volatile organic compounds from small-holder gariprocessing facility in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was studied,using measurement at 3 distances (3.05 m, 7.62 m and 15.24 m) in 4 states (Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Abia) across the two major seasons (wet and dry) withportable multi-probe AEROQUAL meter.Meteorology indices (wind speed, temperature and relative humidity) were also measured the stations. The resultant data were subjected to 3-way analysis of variance and the health risk index calculated using median and geometric mean as reference background values. The overall values of volatile organic compounds in the wet and dry season were in the range of 7.50 – 10.58ppm and 9.37 – 12.07ppm at 10 feet distance, 4.25 – 6.96ppm and 4.94 – 6.57 ppm at 25 feet distance, and 2.57 – 4.36ppm and 1.62 – 2.25ppmat 50 feet distancerespectively. The meteorological indicators in the dry and wet season ranged from 30.93 – 31.97°C and 28.56 – 30.24 °C, respectively (temperature), 58.67 – 64.00% and 65.33 – 76.33%, respectively (relative humidity), and 0.73 – 1.08m/s and 0.42 – 1.20m/s, respectively (wind speed). The values of volatile organic compounds showed significant variations (p<0.05) across months, location, distances and interactions. In addition,meteorological data showed significant difference (p<0.05) across months, locations and distances except for distance value of wind speed. This suggests seasonal and spatio-temporal influence on volatile organic compounds emitted from gari processing mill in the Niger Delta. Public health risk index revealed slight to moderate pollution, which suggest that infants, children, elderly and immune-compromisedindividuals could be at risk over prolonged exposure.

Keywords: Air quality, Gari processing, public health, volatile organic compounds.