Advances in Science and Technology Vol. 160

Abstract: The impact of air pollution on public and environmental remains huge burden in Nigeria that has not been properly addressed. Poverty energy supply has further exacerbated the current situations making business to rely on generators for energy power supply. This study aims to assess the impact of generators-induced air pollution on stress levels among printing press workers in a specific setting Abuja. This cross-sectional designed was adopted to conduct this study among printing press workers who use generators in Abuja. A total of 508 workers were selected using simple random sampling. Data on stress levels were collected using a validated perceive stress scale (PSS) 10 item scale, while exposure to air pollution from generators was assessed through on-site air quality monitoring device. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was employed to analyze the relationship between generator-related air pollution and stress levels, adjusting for potential confounders. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results, shows that the mean PSS 10 scale was: >25.90 (SD 4.35), a bivariate correlation analysis indicates statistically significant positive correlation between the air pollutant variables and perceive stress, p-value 0.001. A GzLM analysis show that; In model 1, the air pollutant variable was found to have a significant positive effect on stress scale (PM2.5: β = 1.029 (95% CI; 1.024-1.034)). In model 2, both the two air pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 were found to be significantly associated with increase in stress levels (PM2.5: β = 1.568 (95% CI: 1.397 – 1.759)) and (PM10: β = 1.336 (95% CI: 1.202 – 1.486)) separately. Contrary to model 1 and 2, most of the variables model 3 were not statistically significantly associated with increase in log odds higher perceive stress, except for PM2.5 which was adjusted. Inconclusion, this study demonstrates statistically significant association between air pollutants and stress scale. The findings highlighted the importance of addressing energy policy issues and air quality concerns as potential factors affecting stress and mental health.

Abstract: The increasing demand for energy and the growing concern for environment pollution have led to the exploration of sustainable and efficient methods for wastewater treatment coupled with energy recovery. This study was focusing on the application of clay based (MFC) microbial fuel cell as a novel approach to treat petroleum wastewater while simultaneously generating electrical energy by using microorganisms extracted from diesel oil-contaminated soil collected from old garage. In this study, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were constructed using low cost ceramic cylindrical pot (900ml) as an ion exchange membrane. An inoculum derived from oil-contaminated soil, 10% of the volume of the anode inoculum was fed to the anode chamber for MFC1, MFC2 and no inoculation was added to the MFC control. The cathode chamber was filled with 1M potassium ferricyanide in a 1M phosphate buffer solution at a ratio of 1:1. All MFCs were operated in batch mode with synthetic petroleum wastewater containing (810 ml) for 30 days for open circuit voltage and at an external resistance of 10Ω, 100Ω, and 1000 Ω for 14 days for closed circuit voltage. Carbon cloth (projected surface area of 546cm2and 455.22 cm2) was used as both the cathode and anode respectively. The treatment efficiency of clay-based MFCs were evaluated by the removal efficiencies of COD and BOD. For MFC1, BOD removal efficiency of 89%, COD removal efficiency was 96%, and maximum daily open circuit voltage of 188.92 mV. MFC2 demonstrated BOD removal efficiency of 91%, COD removal efficiency of 98%, and a maximum average daily open circuit voltage of 210.35 mV. In contrast, MFC control displayed lower removal efficiencies with BOD removal efficiency of 49%, COD removal efficiency of 30%, and a maximum average daily open circuit voltage of 58.28 mV. The maximum power density achieved was 9.99µW/cm2 for the highest performing MFC2.These results highlights the effectiveness of MFC1 and MFC2 in terms of organic matter removal and power generation compared to MFC control, displaying the potential of clay-based MFCs for wastewater treatment and energy production. This research just laid a foundation for the use of clay based MFC in treatment of petroleum wastewater and energy recovery, more studies have to be carried out to optimize and maximise its efficiency.