CHUKWUEMEKA OKOLIE

The aim of this project is assess bamboo as an alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete structures which offers similar performance as steel reinforced concrete which can be used in areas where bamboo is abundant. Three samples each of dimension 500×100×100mm of plain, bamboo and steel reinforced concrete beam of seven, fourteen and twenty-one days after curing were subjected to a flexural test to measure their flexural strength. This test was conducted with a four point load flexural machine, with load applied on the beams to determine the ability of the beam to withstand bending forces. The beam samples were weighed before and after curing to obtain their weight gain and water absorption rate. The average flexural strength obtained from the plain, bamboo and steel reinforced beams of a period of seven days, fourteen days and twenty-one days was recorded. The result showed that for a period of seven days, the plain, bamboo and reinforced steel beam had a flexural strength of 9 N/mm², 16.67 N/mm² and 25 N/mm². Fourteen days 15N/mm², 23.33N/mm² and32.33N/mm². Twenty-one days 19N/mm², 29.67N/mm² and38.33N/mm². For water absorption the percentage is consistently higher compared to the plain and steel beam at each time interval. At seven days the water absorption was at 1.55%, and it increases further at fourteen days at 1.79% and twenty-one days 1.62%. based on the acquired results bamboo reinforced concrete can be suitable for structures such as farm sheds, rural housing and low-rise residential building for element such as walls.

This study assesses the critical influence of environmental and human-related factors on air pollutant concentrations across five major urban centers in Benin City, specifically comparing city centers with their adjacent public transport parks. Urban environments characterized by high human traffic density, stationary or slow-moving commercial vehicles, and concentrated emissions have raised serious concerns about ambient air quality and its resulting health impacts. Hence, this research aimed to localize the understanding of air quality dynamics in these environments. Portable air quality sensors were deployed to measure key criteria pollutants including Fine Particulate matter (PM₂.₅), Coarse Particulate matter (PM₁₀), Carbon monoxide (CO), Ground-level Ozone (O₃), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), alongside meteorological factors like relative humidity and temperature. Data was collected at varying periods and days to capture temporal variations and observe trends associated with human activities and traffic conditions. The outcome of the analysis revealed that Particulate Matter is the dominant air quality challenge, with all ten monitored sites recording dangerously high levels. Average concentrations of PM₂.₅ across the sites ranged from 57.0 µg/m³ in the City Center locations to 100.4 µg/m³ in the Motor Parks, demonstrating that all areas significantly exceed the 24-hour
guidelines set by both the WHO and NESREA. Motor parks consistently served as acute pollution hotspots, exhibiting PM concentrations between 40 and 76 percent higher than their city center counterparts. The most critical finding was at Oluku Motor Park, which recorded the highest average PM₁₀ concentration at 154.6 µg/m³, placing it in direct violation of the national standard. This extreme localized pollution is driven by vehicle exhaust, which is reflected in Carbon Monoxide levels that were consistently 87 percent to 142 percent higher in the motor parks compared to the city centers. The Air Quality Index (AQI) classification for all locations was determined to be "Unhealthy" or "Very Unhealthy". Overall, this research provides essential data that underscores the immediate need for improved public health protection and informed urban planning strategies aimed at mitigating vehicle-sourced pollution in these high-exposure zones.

The persistent problem of unreliable electricity supply in Nigeria has made the use of electrical power generators a daily necessity for many homes and businesses. While these generators provide temporary relief from frequent blackouts, their emissions and noise significantly degrade air quality and create health concerns. This study aimed to assess air and noise pollution from electric power generators in selected commercial centers in Benin City, Edo State. The objectives were to measure key air pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, CO, O3, and TVOC at varying distances (0 m, 3 m, 5 m) from operating generators, evaluate their concentration trends, determine noise levels, and compare results with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The study was carried out across sixteen commercial sites including Ring Road, Mission Road, Akpakpava, and Forestry Road. Air quality data were obtained using a portable multi-gas analyzer and ozone meter, while noise levels were measured with a digital sound level meter. Measurements were recorded for three minutes at one-minute intervals during active generator operation (1 p.m.–3 p.m.). The data collected at 0 m, 3 m, and 5 m were averaged to determine representative pollution values and compared against WHO limits to evaluate compliance. The results showed that air and noise pollution around generator sites were generally above recommended limits. The mean PM2.5 concentration ranged from 35–70 µg/�³, and PM10 from 40–85 µg/�³, both exceeding the WHO 24-hour limits of 15 µg/�³ and 45 µg/�³ respectively. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels were between 28–307 ppm, far higher than the WHO limit of 26 ppm (1-hour mean). Ozone (O3) concentrations varied from 0.04–7.18 ppm, and TVOC values ranged from 0.007–0.074 mg/�³, with higher values near generator exhausts. Noise levels ranged between 80.0 dB(A) and 96.8 dB(A), exceeding the WHO safe exposure limit of 70 dB(A). Pollutant levels decreased progressively with distance from the source, showing strong spatial attenuation within 5 m. These findings confirm that commercial generator clusters in Benin City contribute substantially to poor air quality and excessive noise exposure. The study concludes that generator emissions pose serious environmental and health hazards. It recommends strict enforcement of air quality standards, and the adoption of cleaner energy sources such as solar power to improve public health and urban livability.

In rural areas, water contamination remains a major public health concern, exposingresidents to chemical and microbiological pollutants that can cause severe illnesses. Many households rely on untreated water sources such as wells, boreholes, and rivers, which often contain pathogenic microorganisms and elevated levels of heavy metals exceeding recommended safety limits. This study evaluates boiling as a low-cost, effective domestic water purification method, alongside other household treatment options such as filtration, coagulation, chemical disinfection, and distillation. Water samples were collected from the Obazagbon Community and analyzed in the laboratory to assess physico-chemical and microbiological parameters both before and after treatment. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework was applied to rate each purification method based on cost, effectiveness, feasibility, simplicity, sustainability, and accessibility. The results demonstrated that boiling significantly reduced microbial contamination, including total coliforms and E. coli, bringing bacterial counts well within the acceptable limits set by WHO and NSDWQ. Specifically, total coliform counts decreased from 149 CFU/ml (Sample A) and 153 CFU/ml (Sample B) to non-detectable levels, and E. coli was completely eliminated from the treated samples. In terms of chemical pollutants, boiling had limited impact. Levels of dissolved metals such as zinc (1.738 mg/L initially reduced to 1.520 mg/L), iron (0.798–0.801 mg/L), cadmium (0.015–0.018 mg/L), and lead (0.063–0.065 mg/L) remained largely unchanged after boiling, highlighting that thermal treatment primarily targets microbial contaminants and cannot remove dissolved chemical pollutants. Physicochemical parameters such as pH remained within safe limits (6.20–6.23 post-treatment). The persistence of metals is attributable to the geological composition of water sources and potential contamination from human activities, including agricultural runoff, poor waste management, and corroded plumbing systems. Overall, the study confirms that boiling is a highly effective method for microbial disinfection