The total lockdown in Lagos metropolis over the Covid-19 pandemic may have minimized the prevalence of urban air pollution.
Study says urban air pollution refers to the air pollution experienced by populations living in and around urban areas.
The pollution comes from the combustion of gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels in automobiles, trucks, and jets.
In cities, air may be severely polluted not only by transportation but also by the burning of fossil fuels (oil and coal) in generating stations, factories, office buildings, and homes and by the incineration of garbage.
Sources of air pollution in Lagos are dump sites, open incinerators and power generating sets, vehicular emission due to the increase number of vehicles, industrial and commercial buses; the use of chemicals, wastes and fossil fuel burning emanating from industries.
Speaking on the gains of the shutdown, environmental expert, Dr. Newton Jibunor noted that: “It has reduced urban air pollution by 70 percent. The only reason it is not up to 100percent is because homes are still using power generators and few essential services vehicles moving around. Industries are closed, banks are closed and it is good for our environment”.
Some air pollutants are poisonous. Inhaling them can increase the chances of having health problems.
Report says people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from air pollution.