Perceived Influence of Environmental Pollution on the Health of the People in Ilorin Metropolis

Toxic chemicals and substances escape to the environment through anumber of natural and anthropogenic activities and may cause adverse effectson human health and the environment. The study examined the perceived influence of environmental pollution on the health of the people of Ilorinmetropolis. Specifically, the study sought to find out whether people inIlorin Metropolis perceive air pollution to influence cardiovascular, lungand skin diseases. A descriptive research design of survey type was employedfor the study. A sample of 400 heads of households was selected acrosshousehold in the three Local Government Areas that made up IlorinMetropolis using multistage sampling technique. A researcher developedquestionnaire tagged “QPIEPOH” which was validated by three Jurors andtested for reliability using test re-test method was used for the study. Aresult of 0.76r clearly indicated the instrument was reliable. Chi-squarewas used to analyze the data for the study at 0.05 alpha level of significance.The findings revealed that the people in Ilorin metropolis perceived exposureto environmental pollution as influencing normal functioning of the heart,[calculated ÷2 value (355.5) > table value (16.9)]; lungs [calculated ÷2value (301.5) > table value (16.9)]; and skin [calculated ÷2 value (355.5)> table value (16.9)]. It was concluded that people in Ilorin Metropolishave significantly perceived environmental pollution as a major cause ofheart attacks, unexplained cough, tuberculosis and skin infections. It wasrecommended that the people in Ilorin Metropolis should protect themselvesfrom harmful effects of pollution.