Investigation of carbon monoxide concentration from anthropogenic sources in Lagos, Nigeria

The work investigated the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration from anthropogenic sources in eight, different Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) in Lagos State Nigeria. The CO concentration obtained as a result of movement of cars, trucks, motorcycles, working of generators, commercial and residential activities etc., was measured using the digital carbon monoxide detector (model: DC01001) manufactured by General Tools and Instrument, New York. It was found that trucks emitted highest concentration of CO (289.64 ppm) followed by generator operated on diesel (116.23 ppm) while cooking with firewood emitted the lowest concentration of CO (5.75 ppm). Carbon monoxide concentration from residential and commercial areas, are moderate and considered safe for those in the area. On the other hand CO concentration from trucks is very high based on the US air quality index (AQI) and therefore considered unhealthy for the people. It is obvious from this study that CO concentration is generally associated with the use of fossil fuel which suggest that the less we rely on fossil fuel, the more healthy the environment.