Review of Environmental and Public Health Impact of Automobile Wastes and Automobile Transportation in Nigeria

Abstract

Automobiles are machines designed for transportation; it is a self-propelled vehicle with power source for its propulsion and is used for transporting. Most vehicles imported into Nigeria are rickety and are mostly out of use, and since there is no regulation with regard to quality and quantity of vehicles to be imported coupled with lack of technology to deal with automobile waste, large volumes of automobile waste dot the Nigerian landscape. Negative environmental and public health issues of automobile waste and automobile transportation result from the fact that its several components (metals, metalloids, polymers, etc.) on decomposition or expiration release toxic substances such as phenols (C 6 H 5 OH), benzene (C 6 H 6), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and so on into the environment, while on operation, automobiles are the most significant source of air pollution as unburnt diesel releases particulate matter (PM 2.5 , PM 10), oxides of carbon, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), smoke, soot and ash particles, metal oxides, as well as nitrate and sulfate groups. The aim of this work is to explore and draw out salient points from previous literature with regard to detrimental environmental and public health issues of automobile wastes and automobile transportation.

Heavy Metal Concentration in Groundwater in Some Selected Automobile Mechanic Villages in Makurdi, Nigeria

“…Within automobile mechanic workshops, the use of copper-containing products, such as brake fluids, lubricants, and coolants, can release copper into the environment. These products can be spilt or leaked during the repair and maintenance of vehicles, and they can also be washed into the soil and groundwater during rainfall (Nduka, Kelle, Ogoko, and Okafor, 2020).…”

“…Pipe corrosion can occasionally be a source of iron in a drinking water supply. While iron is a non-hazardous element that is more of a nuisance in a water supply than a specific health concern, water with high iron levels tastes terrible and can bioaccumulate in the human body, causing harm to the liver, bone/bone marrow, thyroid, heart, and other glands/organs (Nduka et al, 2020;Oram, 2019).…”

Influence of Organic Waste on Bioremediation of Oil-Contaminated Soil

“…The development of the transport sector and the growth of urbanization resulting in the increase in the number of various transport and support facilities, such as automobile workshops for servicing and maintenances (Landquist et al, 2013). Nduka et al (2019) pointed out that automobile could be in a two-wheeled, like a motorcycle, or three or four-wheeled, like a car or a truck. Therefore, the increase in the use of car engines and machines has also accelerated the use of oil and grease in workplaces, especially in repair, maintenance and service activities in general, which can cause an increase in soil pollution and create an alarm about soil pollution (Abioye et al, 2012).…”