Research Article
Geospatial Analysis of Particulate Matter and CO Concentrations in Relation to Urban Land Use: A Case Study of Sunamganj District Town
Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder*
,
Md Rifatul Islam
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
236-253
Received:
29 June 2025
Accepted:
25 July 2025
Published:
27 August 2025
Abstract: Air pollution is a major environmental issue in Bangladesh, particularly in industrial districts such as Sunamganj, where growing urbanization and industrialization worsen already severe air quality difficulties. The objective of the study is to identify the status of air pollution in Sunamganj District Town area, assessing the relationship among land use and some parameters: Particulate Matters (PM1, PM2.5 & PM10) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration, to show the distribution of PM and CO concentration and PM2.5 based AQI. Descriptive statistics, whisker box plots, ArcGIS and cluster analysis carried out to draw a spatial distribution pattern of pollutants. In this study, 60 locations were selected based on the use of land in Sunamganj District Town area, and air quality parameters was measured in those locations with the help of various automated portable Air Quality Monitor, Indoor Outdoor Formaldehyde (HCHO) Detector (Model: DM106) and CO Meter (Model: AS8700A). After that, IBM SPSS V20 and MS Excel 2020 were used for analysis. It was found that, the average concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 & PM10 of 60 places in Sunamganj district town were 53.36, 88.86 and 113.90µg/m³ respectively. The average concentration of PM2.5 was found 1.75 times higher than Bangladesh National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) level. It is estimated that the average PM2.5 /PM10 was 77.83%, PM1/PM2.5 was 60.13%. From the outcome of this research the studied land uses are arranged in descending order based on average concentration PM2.5 which follows as sensitive area (113.10µg/m3) > road intersection area (108.30µg/m3) > mixed area (91.85µg/m3) > commercial area (87.21µg/m3) > industrial area (81.56µg/m³) > residential area (81.33µg/m3) > village area (58.65µg/m3). The findings exhibit the absolute need for effective air quality management and policy actions to alleviate the negative impacts of air pollution on public health and the environment.
Abstract: Air pollution is a major environmental issue in Bangladesh, particularly in industrial districts such as Sunamganj, where growing urbanization and industrialization worsen already severe air quality difficulties. The objective of the study is to identify the status of air pollution in Sunamganj District Town area, assessing the relationship among l...
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Research Article
Informal Sector E-waste Management in Aba Urban, South-eastern Nigeria: Assessment of Quantities Handled and Environmental-health Impacts
Felix Ike*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
254-262
Received:
9 August 2025
Accepted:
18 August 2025
Published:
3 September 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijema.20251305.12
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Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the growing trade in second-hand electronics have intensified informal e-waste recycling in Nigerian cities. While coastal hubs such as Lagos and Port Harcourt have received considerable research attention, inland secondary hubs like Aba remain understudied despite their expanding role in national e-waste flows. This study aimed to assess the scale, practices, and health risks associated with informal e-waste processing in Aba. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured questionnaires administered to 254 respondents, key informant interviews, GPS-tagged field observations, and volumetric waste assessments across five purposively selected hotspots. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, and qualitative transcripts were thematically coded. Results showed that Ngwa Road, Ariaria Market, and Port Harcourt Road processed the highest volumes of hazardous waste, with cathode ray tubes and mobile phones dominating the waste stream. Informal recovery methods included manual dismantling, open-air cable burning, and occasional acid leaching, with minimal use of personal protective equipment. A risk-rating matrix classified 61% of workers as high-risk, with common health symptoms including respiratory distress, skin irritation, and eye discomfort. Spatial analysis indicated that most e-waste activities clustered within 2km of major commercial corridors, increasing local pollutant loads. The findings reveal significant gaps in Extended Producer Responsibility enforcement in inland Nigeria and underscore the need for targeted remediation, subsidized protective equipment, and integration of informal actors into regulated collection systems. By linking site-specific data from Aba to wider West African trends, the study provides evidence to support policy interventions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 8, 12, and 13.
Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the growing trade in second-hand electronics have intensified informal e-waste recycling in Nigerian cities. While coastal hubs such as Lagos and Port Harcourt have received considerable research attention, inland secondary hubs like Aba remain understudied despite their expanding role in national e-waste flows. This study ai...
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