The increasing population in the Federal Capital Territory, specifically
the City Centres is overwhelming, which calls for health and
environmental concerns. Four sets of field data (H2S, CO, O2 and LEL)
were collected around Kuje, Gwagwalada and Abuja Municipal Area
Councils during two seasons - wet and dry with Dobi village in
Gwagwalada Area Council serving as the control point. Settlement
patterns were also taken into consideration. The aim of this study is to
assess the ambient air quality and then compare values with WHO
guidelines to identify polluted areas. The data was collected on weekly
bases at 8 hourly intervals using Global Positioning System and GasAlert
detection Instrument. Results obtained showed that the air is mostly
polluted with high emission of carbon monoxide (CO) and Low Explosive
Limit (LEL) gases during the wet season around AMAC and some parts of
Kuje Area Councils. It was also observed that transportation, that is,
vehicular presence is responsible for the emission of CO above 60ppm, in
the atmosphere which is well above the WHO (2005) Air Quality
Standard. The result further revealed that Low Explosive Limit gases are
high during the wet season in Abuja Municipal Area Council above 6%,
indicating high concentration of methane gas. There was no sulphur
dioxide in the atmosphere, while oxygen was relatively normal. The study
also identified Kuchiyako district in Kuje Area Council and around Dobi
village in Gwagwalada Area Council as the only comfort zones with less
polluted gases. This could serve as a benchmark to enable relevant
government and private agencies effect monitoring and control plans.