Automobile traffic and air pollution in a developing country: An Example of Affluence-caused Environmental Problems

This paper reports the results obtained from a study carried out, over a period of one year, to determine the levels of air pollutants in urban and rural areas of parts of Nigeria. Originally, five types of pollutants (dust, SO 2 , CO, Pb and NOx SO 2 were scheduled to be monitored, but because of difficulty in obtaining equipment only SO 2 , CO and dust are monitored. Results of the study show that automobile exhaust emission is the main source of air pollutants. The levels in urban areas are higher than WHO long term limits, while the levels in rural areas are still very low. The concentrations are highest at the road sides, where many people stay daily from morning till evening to work and sell their wares. In order to obtain a. long-term picture of the problem, the research is expected to continue for many years.