Air Quality Impacts of Smallholder Oil Palm Processing in Nigeria

Abstract

Air emissions during palm oil processing by smallholders are issues of public health concern demanding urgent intervention by environmentalists. In this study, six smallholder oil palm processing mills were studied in Elele, Nigeria. Air emission parameters (NO^sub 2^, NH^sub 3^, CO, H^sub 2^S, SO^sub 2^, VOC), noise, and meteorology (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, and pressure) were determined at three distances (10 ft, 25 ft, and 50 ft) in both wind ward and lee ward directions from the mills covering boiling and digestion activities. The emissions from biomass were found to be significantly higher than that from fossil diesel, while noise was higher during digestion. The health implications of air emissions were discussed. The study concluded by directing attentions of regulatory agencies to monitor the activities of smallholder oil palm processing to ensure the environmental sustainability of their operations.