Spatial patterns of gas flaring stations and the risk to the respiratory and dermal health of residents of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study assessed the health risk for respiratory and dermal related conditions as a result of residents' exposure to air emissions from gas flaring stations (GFS). The spatial patterns of the GFS were evaluated. Air pollutants from the eight GFS were monitored and medical data were obtained from six primary health care centres that are in the proximity of the GFS. Additionally, a well-structured questionnaire was administered to 200 residents in the GFS vicinity. Nearest neighbor analysis and SPSS for Windows (version 21.0) were used to analyze the data obtained. The GFS exhibited a clustered configuration. The concentration of air pollutants varied significantly (p = 0.001 - 0.018) in the dry and wet seasons. NO2 and( PM10) were higher than the WHO permissible limit. Respiratory and dermal-related ailments accounted for about 21.1 to 76.3% of the entire hospital visits; the most frequent were eye irritation and chest pain. There was a steady increase (r(2) = 0.01-0.78) in the reported cases of the respiratory ailment from 2013 to 2016. Strong associations (r = -0.877-0.831; r(2) = 0.238 - 0.892; p < 0.05) existed among air pollutants and respiratory and dermal diseases. In conclusion, the analysis shows that the residents are at high risk of respiratory and dermal issues as a result of the proximity of the gas flaring stations and their continuous exposure to gas flaring. A reduction in the volume of gas flared and the wearing of nose masks by vulnerable residents is highly recommended. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of African Institute of Mathematical Sciences / Next Einstein Initiative.