TITLE:
Evaluation of the Impact of Atmospheric Pollutants on the Health of the Populations of the City of Conakry
AUTHORS:
Mamadouba Aboubacar Fofana, Mouctar Camara, Aboubacar Diallo, Alpha Madiou Diallo, Mohamed Dubréka Sylla, Aly Hawa Camara, Sory Fofana
KEYWORDS:
Air Pollutants, Population Health, Contamination Levels, Pollution
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Air Pollution,
Vol.13 No.4,
November
5,
2024
ABSTRACT: The aim of the study is to identify sources of atmospheric pollutants and assess their impact on the health of Conakry’s population. Ten contaminant sources were identified. Sampling was conducted on suspended particles and gases. Physicochemical methods were used to determine pollutant levels. The results show that CO2 is the highest gaseous pollutant at the Dar es Salaam landfill (708 μg/m3), followed by CO (354 μg/m3). The highest content of volatile organic compounds (VOC) was observed at the Tombo thermal power plant (475 μg/m3). Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon pollutants (NOx and CnH2n+2) at each site were relatively stable, with levels between (100 - 150 μg/m3) and (450 μg/m3), respectively. Suspended particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) measured at various locations showed higher PM10 levels than PM2.5. In particular, the highest PM10 content was observed at the Sangoyah soap factory (410 μg/m3), followed by the Madina market (319 μg/m3) and the Dar-Es-Salam landfill (318 μg/m3). As indicated by the results, these contamination levels far exceed European and World Health Organization standards. This study highlights the need to adopt a strategy to reduce pollution levels at these critical points to protect the health of the city’s population.