Effects of Industrial Emissions on Air Quality in Communities Surrounding International Breweries Limited, Ilesa Plant, Osun State

Industrialisation is considered a cornerstone of development strategies. This popularity is due to the significant contribution that industries make to economic growth and human welfare. Industrial production provides goods, services and jobs. At the same time, it is a major source of pollution and waste. This scenario is evident in the long-standing presence of International Breweries Limited, the Ilesa plant, and the surrounding communities. It is against this background that this study investigates the effect of industrial activities, most especially emissions, on air quality in communities around International Breweries Limited, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. Using a random systematic sampling technique, researchers conducted a survey of 500 residents within an area of one square kilometre of the industry. The parameters of interest include awareness of industrial activities, perceptions of air quality, health and environmental effects, community responses, and suggestions. Other primary data were collected through field observation and focus group discussions in the study area. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics for principal component analysis. Major findings from the study showed that 91% of the respondents are aware of the operations of the industry in the area, but only 46% are aware that industrial processes can emit substances into the air. 57.6% of the respondents also confirmed changes in the air quality around the industry. Although 12% and 23% of the respondents noticed cough and eye irritation, respectively, among the people around the industry, 75% confirmed that there was no noticeable health issue in the area. During the focus group discussion, the respondents identified noise pollution as the primary impact of the industry. Emissions of carbon monoxide, heaps of factory waste, and road congestion associated with factory noise were the major observations in the industry during the survey. The study concluded that there is air and noise pollution as a result of industrial activities, leading to obvious environmental degradation in the area. Therefore, there is a need for proper environmental control and management to ameliorate the adverse effects of industrial emissions, waste deposits, and noise pollution in the area.