Toxicity Potential of the Emitted Aerosols from Open Burning of Scrap Tyres

Abstract

Open Burning of Scrap Tyres (OBST) has been identified as a key source of air pollutants. However, OBST has been widely and indiscriminately practiced in Nigerian communities with less attention to its environmental impacts. Aerosols of diameter less than 10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) emitted from OBST were considered. In this study, twenty (20) types of tyre representing five from each of bicycle, motorcycle, car and truck category were investigated. The mass concentration of the aerosols was measured using GT 331 Aerosol Mass Monitor. The most breached limits are ASHRAE and WHO limits of 50 µg/m 3 for PM10 where 3 motorcycle, car and truck tyre samples have the TP values above unity. The least breached is NAAQS standard for PM2.5. An assessment of the toxicity potential levels of these aerosols establishes that OBST may have adverse effects on human health and environment.