Assessment and evaluation of air quality in areas surrounding oil factory: case study Young Giang energy development in Lungala, Mpigi district

Abstract

A number of studies have indicated that air pollutants with physical, chemical and biological natures pose potential hazards to human beings and the entire echo system. However, as many industries are being setup in the country, air quality monitoring has not been given attention and this poses a big public health concern. Therefore, limited/no data is available for the estimation of ambient air toxins related to various industries in the country.

A multi-pollutant method was explored for configuring an Air Quality Monitoring Network to detect the highest level of pollution around Young giang Energy Development oil plant in Lungala, Mpigi District. The method ranks potential monitoring stations according to their ability to represent the ambient concentration. Selection of the best configuration of Air Quality Monitoring Network was done based on the ratio of a station’s dosage to the total dosage in the network.

Three monitoring stations were needed to detect the pollutants concentrations around the study area for estimating the level and distribution of exposure in the population. An analysis of the design procedure showed that wind had a greatest effect on the location of monitoring stations.

The Air Quality Monitoring Network enables authorities to implement an effective program of air quality management for protecting human health.