ABSTRACT
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from decomposing solid waste pose measurable risks to urban air quality and public health. This study quantitatively assessed the influence of waste collection points on ambient VOC concentrations in Calabar South, Nigeria, using Sentinel-5P tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) as a proxy indicator. HCHO column densities were extracted and spatially analyzed using Google Earth Engine and GIS-based buffer modeling at 50 m, 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m distances from mapped waste collection sites. Quantitative evaluation via zonal statistics revealed a clear distance–decay pattern. The highest average HCHO concentration was recorded within the 100 m buffer zone (≈8.5 × 10¹⁵ molecules/cm²), decreasing to ≈7.0 × 10¹⁵ molecules/cm² at 300 m and ≈6.1 × 10¹⁵ molecules/cm² at 500 m. Background concentrations in control zones were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong negative relationship between HCHO levels and distance from waste points (R² = 0.89, p < 0.01), confirming that proximity to waste sites significantly elevates VOC exposure. The study highlights the value of integrating remote sensing and GIS for quantifying atmospheric emissions and supports the need for improved waste management policies to reduce urban air pollution risks.
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