| dc.description.abstract | A six-month field study was conducted in which air samples of known
volume were scrubbed through specific trapping solutions at selected sites in
Nairobi (Chiromo, Industrial Area and Kasarani), Nderi shopping centre, Muguga
and Thika Town. The solutions were then subjected to analysis for nine pollutants sulphur
dioxide (S02), ammonia (NTh), hydrogen chloride (HCI), aluminium (AI),
lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) using a variety of
spectrophotometric and potentiometric techniques. The objectives of the study
were (1) to determine the levels and distribution of these pollutants in ambient air,
and (2) to determine the level of influence of industrial activity (flue gas emissions)
on the concentrations of the pollutants in ambient air.
There were wide variations in the distribution, occurrence and level of each
pollutant at the sampling sites. S02, NIL and HCI were detected at all sites, the
lowest concentration being at Kasarani which recorded 9.11, 22.4 and 386 ug m",
respectively and highest at sites in Industrial Area (85, 449 and 2426 Ilg p1-3,
respectively). These values differed considerably from those for the typical flue
gases (emanating from furnace operations at Magadi and Gilgil) whose mean
concentrations were 1374, 617 and 235 Ilg m", for S02, HCI and Nlli,
respectively. | en |
