Title: Assessment and toxicity potential of the gaseous pollutants emitted from laboratory-scale open burning of scrap tyres

Authors: Ishaq Dimeji Sulaymon; Lukuman Adekilekun Jimoda; Zainab Olayemi Sulaymon; Gabriel Ayodele Adebayo

Addresses: College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Huairou Eco-Environmental Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China ' Environmental Engineering Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ' Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ' Environmental Engineering Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract: Open burning of scrap tyres (OBST) has been identified as a key source of gaseous pollutants. However, OBST has been widely and indiscriminately practiced in Nigerian communities with less attention to its environmental impacts. Gaseous pollutants (CO, NO₂ and SO₂) emitted from OBST were investigated. In this study, 20 types of tyres representing five from each of bicycle, motorcycle, car and truck category were considered. The emission levels of CO, NO₂ and SO₂ in the tyre smoke were quantified by means of modules in validated Testo 350 XL flue gas analyser. The toxicity potential (TP) levels of CO, NO₂ and SO₂ ranged from 0.32-1.12, 0.20-4.83 and 0.29-1.76, respectively. Out of all the gaseous pollutants emitted, 25% is within the air quality index range of 101-150. An assessment of the toxicity potential levels of these hazardous gaseous pollutants suggests that OBST may pose serious threat to human health and environment.

Keywords: gaseous pollutants; open burning; scrap tyres; toxicity potential; environment impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2018.097511

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2018 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.355 - 370

Received: 01 Jan 2018
Accepted: 15 Apr 2018
Published online: 25 Jan 2019 *

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