THE IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASES IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to examine the impact of air pollution on the Global Burden of Diseases in Edo State. To guide this study, three research questions were raised and answered. The survey research design was used in conducting the study. The instrument used for the study was a self-structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 400. The validity of the instrument was established by giving it to the supervisor and two other experts in the field of the research study. The reliability of the instrument was established using the split-half method of reliability which yielded a Coefficient of 0.828. The data obtained from the questionnaires were subjected to analysis using frequency counts and percentages. Findings from the study revealed that that air pollution has an impact on health and the environment as well as the global burden of disease in Edo state and that several factors are responsible for the increased impact of air pollution on the global burden of diseases in Edo State. These factors includes; industrial waste products, improper disposal of urban waste, uncontrolled fumes from industrial plants and uncontrolled disposal of chemicals from construction sites which pollutes the air. It was thus recommended that the state ministry of environment and agencies saddled with the responsibilities of preserving and protecting the environment should promote campaigns to enlighten the residents on the importance of using less energy which is essential in reducing air pollution, state government should enact and enforce laws and regulations to reduce the burning of refuse by residents in their homes which overtime has been a major cause of air pollution, factories and industries should be situated far away from residential areas in order to ensure that individuals are not directly affected by the effects of the disposal of dangerous waste products emitted by these factories and industries and the residents should be educated and encouraged on the need to get involved in air pollution control by equipping them with guidelines concerning air pollution control.