Sowaboma Nicholas Asimiea^1,, Godswill K. Fekarurhobo², Akuro E. Gobo¹, Gloria I. Ndukwe¹, Anthony Ike Wegbom³

Globally, urban cities are mostly faced with poor air quality. About 4.2 million people die annually due to the exposure to air pollution. This study, therefore, aim to ascertain the environmental safety of an urban city of Port Harcourt by evaluating the air quality index (AQI) of some air parameters. The study involved a descriptive and evaluative analysis of air quality data of eleven stations within Port Harcourt metropolis from May to December 2020. The AQI calculation was performed using EXCEL Microsoft, and the result was classified using USEPA guidelines. The results showed that the highest average monthly concentration of CO₂ and NO₂ was reported in May. SO₂ and PM_2.5 was reported highest in August and October 2020 respectively. Furthermore, CO₂ AQI values in Port Harcourt were observed good throughout the study period (AQI<50), except in November that was observed moderate quality (AQI=58.56). NO₂ AQI values were good (AQI<50) in August, October, and November, while in May, September, and December moderate air quality was observed (AQI is between 71.56 and 85.53). AQI values for SO₂ were above 100, depicting unhealth and hazardous for human habitation. PM_2.5 only in May and October had good air quality (AQI <50), while in the other months were classified moderate (AQI = 74.60-90.50). We conclude that the AQI values indicates that the air quality was good or moderate with respect to CO₂ and NO₂, unhealthy with respect to SO_2, and moderate for PM_2.5 especially at stations with high human activities during the study period. To make the city safer, we recommended that human activities such as open-air combustion of refuse and artisanal refining of crude petroleum should be monitored regularly to check its impact on the air quality.

particulate matter, air pollution, air quality index, Port Harcourt