Browsing by Author "Taylor, Eldred Tunde"

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Diurnal Concentrations and Variation of Carbon Monoxide in Indoor and Outdoor Air of Residential Homes in Western Sierra Leone
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2015-06-28) Taylor, Eldred Tunde
It is widely known that more than half of the world’s population use biomass fuels (wood, charcoal, dung) as household energy source, and hence, face significant and diverse range of toxic pollutants. In Sierra Leone, more than 90% of the population relies on biomass fuels. We carried out daytime measurements and observe variation of carbon monoxide (CO) in kitchen and outdoor locations in households that burn wood and charcoal fuels in Western Sierra Leone, during a survey that was conducted in September, 2011. Maximum time average 15 mins, 30 mins, 1 hr and 8 hrs concentrations in indoor and outdoor locations were computed. Mean concentrations decreased in the order, 15 mins to 30 mins to 1 hr and 8 hrs, in the two locations for households that burn wood and charcoal. About 87% and 67% of 8 hrs CO concentrations in kitchens with charcoal and wood stoves were in excess of world health organization (WHO) guideline. Approximately 66% and 63% of 1 hr CO concentrations were not different in the same environments. None of the corresponding outdoor locations had values that are said to be critical to human health. Evidence of greater variation in the maximum time average mean CO concentrations in kitchens with charcoal stoves relative to those using wood was observed. Behavioral patterns in homes burning charcoal coupled with the burning conditions were ascribed to the observed variation. The proportion of the short time and acute CO concentrations in kitchens is a cause for concern for humans from the stand point of improved human health.
Gaseous Air Quality Indicators along Traffic Routes in Greater Freetown, Sierra Leone
(Conscientia Beam, 2017) Taylor, Eldred Tunde
Urban air pollution is increasingly getting attention in developing countries in recent years. It was against this backdrop that this piece of work examined three indices of air pollution along a single carriage road (Kissy Road) and dual carriage road (Wilkinson Road) on either direction. Brief monitoring spell of nitrogen dioxide (NO2); sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) were made between August 2015 and September 2015 using the Drager X am 5000 realtime monitor for the different gases. Diurnal monitoring was made in the morning, afternoon and evening periods representing peak and off peak periods. Results indicated higher levels of pollution at Kissy Road relative to Wilkinson Road. Considerable variation were also observed among the pollutants for the two sites and the hourly average values revealed levels that are within ambient air quality standards except for SO2. Field observations revealed poorly maintained vehicles, human behavioral pattern, frequent traffic jams were attributed to the observed values.
Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infections in Women and Children in Western Sierra Leone due to Smoke from Wood and Charcoal Stoves
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2012-06-19) Taylor, Eldred Tunde
Combustion of biomass fuels (wood and charcoal) for cooking releases smoke that contains health damaging pollutants. Women and children are the most affected. Exposure to biomass smoke is associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI). This study investigated the prevalence of ARI potentially caused by smoke from wood and charcoal stoves in Western Sierra Leone, as these two fuels are the predominant fuel types used for cooking. A cross sectional study was conducted for 520 women age 15-45 years; and 520 children under 5 years of age in homes that burn wood and charcoal. A questionnaire assessing demographic, household and exposure characteristics and ARI was administered to every woman who further gave information for the child. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) was continuously monitored in fifteen homes. ARI prevalence revealed 32% and 24% for women, 64% and 44% for children in homes with wood and charcoal stoves, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders for each group, the odds ratio of having suffered from ARI was similar for women, but remained large for children in homes with wood stoves relative to charcoal stoves (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 0.71-1.82) and (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.31-3.13), respectively. ARI prevalence was higher for children in homes with wood stoves compared with homes with charcoal stoves, but ARI prevalence for both types of fuels is higher compared with reported prevalence elsewhere. To achieve a reduction in ARI would require switching from wood and charcoal to cleaner fuels.
The Levels of Toxic Air Pollutants in Kitchens with Traditional Stoves in Rural Sierra Leone
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2012) Taylor, Eldred Tunde
Wood and charcoal fuels, widely used in Sierra Leone for cooking, may impact indoor air quality. Until now, there is presently lack of data to quantify the extent of impact. In this study, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured in kitchens with wood and charcoal stoves during cooking in rural areas. PAH contents of PM2.5 and PM2.5 - 10 fractions were analyzed using HPLC/FLD and SPM and CO were monitored in realtime. Mean ± SD concentrations of PM2.5 related ∑11PAHs, PM and CO were 2127 ± 1173 ng/m3, 1686 ± 973 μg/m3 and 28 ± 9 ppm for wood stoves; and 158 ± 106 ng/m3, 315 ± 205 μg/m3 and 42 ± 21 ppm for charcoal stoves, respectively. PAHs were largely associated with PM2.5 than PM2.5 - 10. Maximum 1-hr time averaged ± SD CO concentration for kitchens with wood and charcoal stoves were 44 ± 21 ppm and 77 ± 49 ppm, respectively. Generally, concentrations of PAHs, PM and CO were higher than the WHO recommended guidelines which raise concern with regards to health risks. Given the existing evidence of reduced emissions of PAHs, PM and CO from cleaner fuels, a transition from cooking with wood and charcoal to cleaner fuels would provide an improvement in indoor air quality, a requirement for good health.