Abstract

Indoor sulphur dioxide concentration in Kano has been attributed to closed structured building pattern, substandard housing conditions and use of firewood. Samples of the gas were measured in the different residential districts within the Kano Metropolis; the high medium and low density residential districts. The distribution within the municipality is skewed towards high frequency of low concentrations with a mean and standard deviation of 3.92 ± 1.96 μg/m³. The mean concentration of the gas in some parts of the city like Goron Dutse, Jakara, K/Mata and Gwale, Fagge, NNDC, Dorayi and Brigade  were 5.01 ± 1.51, 4.94 ± 0.14, 3.53 ± 1.21, 4.55 ± 0.85, 5.18 ± 2.82, 4.86 ± 1.43 3.61 ± 1.6 and 3.21 ± 1.17 μg/m³ respectively. Fagge and Goron Dutse recorded the highest levels of the gas. The home environment within the city is poor. Housing conditions are poor and substandard. Significant portions of the cooking take place in conditions where much of the air borne effluents are released into the living area and people in the inner core of the city rely on gas, wood dung and crop residues for domestic energy.

Key words: Indoor sulphur dioxide concentration, close-settled inner zone, Kano.