Comparative Assessment of Health Challenges Prevalent Among Residents Around Gas Flaring Sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States
Imiete Godspower, Kpang MeeluBari Barinua Tsaro, Dappa Ibiewotogha Daddy
Purpose: Gas flaring is a common practice in oil-producing developing countries like Nigeria basically
because weak regulations and poor environmental monitoring pave way for that to happen. This
economically wasteful and damaging process comes with huge health consequences on residents living
close to the gas flare. This study attempted a comparative assessment of health challenges among
residents in the vicinity of gas flared areas in Rivers and Bayelsa States. Both primary and secondary
data were used for the study whereas the primary data included air quality parameters recorded at
various sampled locations. On the other hand, the health challenges were assessed from the archives
of the government health centers in the areas. Data analysis was done using Pearson Product Moment
Correlation statistic (PPMC) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The result shows that there is a
significant reduction in the volume of pollutants with respect to distance from the flare sites at P<0.05.
ANOVA showed that the mean difference for gases between the two sampled states was significant at the
P<0.05 level. The PPMC showed that there was a significant correlation between atmospheric pollutant
and human health challenges in the area at p<0.05 while the relationship between 03
, NO2
, SO2
, VOC
and PM2.5 and the reported health challenges also showed positive correlation. . The study recommended
reduction in the quantity of gas flared at source; enactment of laws prohibiting residential/farming
activities close to the flaring sites; insistence on environmentally friendly technologies in operations of
oil companies and zero tolerance for defaulting companies on regulations and laws on flaring of gases;
synergy between government and NGO’s to provide health education and sensitization of residents on
impact of gas flaring among other recommendations.
