ABSTRACT

Environmental and health hazards of generator usage in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) was an analytical and quasi experimental study. A preliminary environmental survey of the power houses/generator stations was undertaken to establish sampling points.The samples collected were soil samples (for capillarity,pH,bulk density,porosity,moisture and total aerobic microbial counts). Noise level was equally established with digital noise meter when generators were in service. In addition,air pollutants like CO₂,particulate matters etc.were analyzed (using digital meters). Subsequently, well-structured questionnaire was distributed to respondents to establish the health and socio-economic implications of generator usage. All the analyses were in conformity with the international standards and principles of scientific investigation.  Severity rating for identified hazards was adopted and the technique used for evaluating the risk level was the calculation of the Risk Priority Value (RPV), which is quantitative estimate of the risk associated with each hazards. The Risk Priority Value was assigned to each hazard based on two factors: probability of occurance and severity. The environmental surveillance shows engine oil spillage within the immediate surroundings of the generator at MOUAU Admin block and School generator. Improper socketing e.g. using naked wire terminal instead of normal socket plug were recorded at College of ManagementScience (COLMAS). The aerobic bacterial count recorded were as follows: College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (CNREM) 1.4 × 10⁵cfu/g, Admin  3.3 × 10⁵cfu/g, College of Engineering And Engineering Technology (CEET)2.1 x 10⁵ cfu/g, School Gen. 2.6 x10⁵ cfu/g, COLMAS 4.2 x 10⁵ cfu/g. The corresponding fungal count (cfu/g) were as follows: CNREM 3.8 x 10⁵cfu/g, Admin 1.8 x 10³cfu/g, School Gen 1.3 x10⁵cfu/g, CEET 3.8 x 10⁴cfu/g and COLMAS 4.4 x 10⁵cfu/g.In addition,the bulk densities (g/ml) of the soil recorded were CEET 1.18g/ml, CNREM 1.006g/ml, School Gen 1.31g/ml, Admin 1.43g/ml, COLMAS 0.93g/ml.The mean values of noise recorded were: COLMAS 92.715dB, CEET 94.67dB, Admin 98.67dB, School Gen 98.73dB, and CNREM 94.67dB. The mean CO₂ emission were 37.825 (Admin), 39.77 (School gen), 19.835 (CNREM), 27.865 (CEET) and 22.115 (COLMAS).The study has shown the environmental and health challenges of generator usage, there was noticeable hearing impairment of some of the operators of the School generator and generator at Admin block. Some respondents were regular asthma patients. It therefore becomes imperative to adopt alternative energy sources and create awareness on the health and environmental implications of electricity generators usage.