Urbanization in Nigeria has intensified environmental challenges, particularly air pollution, heat stress, and declining green space coverage, all of which contribute to worsening respiratory health outcomes. This study investigates the interrelationships among air quality parameters, urban greenery distribution, and respiratory disease prevalence in three major Nigerian metropolitan areas, Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative air monitoring data, satellite-derived vegetation indices, and hospital-based morbidity records spanning a five-year period (2019-2023). Concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃) were analyzed using spatial interpolation techniques. Green space distribution was quantified using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from Landsat-8 imagery. Respiratory health data were collected from major public hospitals and analyzed in relation to pollutant exposure levels and green infrastructure density across metropolitan districts.
The findings reveal that PM2.5 and NO₂ concentrations in Lagos and Port Harcourt consistently exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) limits, averaging 72 µg/m³ and 56 µg/m³ respectively, while Abuja recorded lower but still concerning averages of 41 µg/m³. A strong inverse correlation (r = -0.68, p<0.01) was observed between NDVI scores and respiratory morbidity rates, indicating that urban greenery mitigates pollution exposure and improves pulmonary health outcomes. The highest respiratory disease prevalence was recorded in districts with both minimal vegetation cover and elevated industrial or vehicular emissions.
This study underscores the critical need for integrated environmental and urban health policies in Nigeria that prioritize sustainable land use, improved air quality monitoring infrastructure, and equitable distribution of green spaces. It concludes that strategic urban greening offers a cost-effective and evidence-based pathway for improving respiratory health and enhancing urban resilience against environmental degradation.
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Trends
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