Health Risk Implications of PM2. 5, PM10, Vocs, and Formaldehyde at Waterfront Residential Buildings of Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State

Sylvalyne G. Hart; Gobo E. Akuro; Tubonimi J. K. Ideriah; Iyama A. William

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no9.2026.pg99.107

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Health Risk Implications of PM2. 5, PM10, Vocs, and Formaldehyde at Waterfront Residential Buildings of Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State

Sylvalyne G. Hart, Gobo E. Akuro, Tubonimi J. K. Ideriah, Iyama A. William

Abstract

Indoor air pollution in waterfront communities of Port Harcourt poses significant public health concerns due to poor housing conditions, marine activities and inadequate ventilation. This study assessed the indoor air concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, and formaldehyde in ten waterfronts communities namely Rex Lawson Waterfront, Eagle Island Waterfront, Bundu Ama Waterfront Elechi Beach Waterfront, Enugu Waterfront, Ibadan Waterfront, Marine Base Waterfront, Okirika Waterfront, Slaughter Waterfront and Woji Waterfront and ten residential building in each of the communities. Associated health risks were also evaluated using Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Cancer Risk (CR) models. Statistical analysis (mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation) was performed to evaluate spatial variability. Results showed that the mean concentration for each parameter showed that, PM2.5 ranged from (8.5–16.65 μg/m3 with a mean of 12.20 ± 2.55) and PM10 ranged from (23.95–35.7 μg/m3, with a mean of 28.85 ± 3.36). PM2.5 in all locations was within the WHO 24-hour guideline (15 μg/m3) except in Woji where it exceeded permissible limit. PM10 in all location was within the WHO 24-hour guideline (45 μg/m3) but exceeded the WHO annual guideline (15 μg/m3) across all locations. VOCs (0.030–0.053 mg/m3) and HCHO (0.020–0.045 mg/m3) remained below WHO-referenced indoor air thresholds. Hazard Index values (3.95–5.89) exceeded unity in all sites, indicating significant non-carcinogenic risk. Cancer risk from HCHO (2.6 × 10−7 – 5.85 × 10−7) remained within USEPA acceptable limits but indicates chronic exposure concern.

Keywords

Indoor air pollutionWaterfrontPM2.5PM10VOCsformaldehydeWHO guidelinesUSEPAhealth risk assessment

References

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Health Risk Implications of PM2. 5, PM10, Vocs, and Formaldehyde at Waterfront Residential Buildings of Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State

Abstract

Keywords

References

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