Environmental and Health Effects of Fossil-Fuel Generator Use in Computer-Village, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> The quest for development is one thing that has remained true about human nature throughout history, man will utilize resources as much as possible, natural and non-natural, physical and abstract, permanent and ephemeral, to the greatest extent feasible. In light of this, one type of resource, in particular, is fossil fuels, which are particularly important in the generation of energy (Babatunde et al., 2020). For decades, fossil fuels have provided energy to a wide range of human activities. Nigeria is a country rich in energy resources but has yet to fully use these vast energy resources with minimal environmental and climatic consequences (Vincent-Akpu, 2012). The study employed a mixed-methods convergent design, combining quantitative and qualitative data to enhance understanding of the research problem through questionnaire, interview as well as sampling of air quality and noise levels in Computer-Village, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using Microsoft Office Excel, Sonix's advanced automated translation engine and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Chi-square statistics, T-test at 95% confidence interval and a p-value of ≤ 0.05). It was established that there was a significant relationship between Generator Usage and its effect on health and environment. The study also revealed that the sampling of air quality shows the presence of noxious gases such as Carbon monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, and Particulate Matters as well as high noise levels which negatively impact the environment and also pose significant risk to human health. The level of knowledge and awareness of generator hazards was generally high among respondents in Computer-Village with the majority being knowledgeable of the effects of exposure on their health.