An Analysis of the Contributory Factors to Environmental Pollution in Residential Areas of Enugu Metropolis


Authors : Chijioke, Edmond Ogochukwu; Eke, Bemsodi Linda

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ue8r9t4c

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb651

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Abstract : This study analyzed the contributory factors to environmental pollution in residential areas of Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria with a view to proffering adequate measures in tackling these problems in the study area. Specific objectives of the study included to identify the various types of environmental pollution and its prevalence in Enugu Metropolis; analyze the factors that contribute to the continued environmental pollution and analyze the consequences of environmental pollution within the metropolis. The study adopted the survey research design which facilitated reach to all respondents. A total of 399 participants were chosen for the study using stratified, purposive, and simple random selection procedures. Information gathering was made easier by interviews, well-structured questionnaires, and in-person observations. Tables, percentages, and averages were used to show and evaluate the collected data, and the Chi-Square test was used to test the hypothesis. The study revealed that air pollution was more prevalent in the study area followed by noise pollution; land/soil pollution; waste pollution and water pollution. The study also found that ageing and ill maintained Tokunbo cars; lower fuel quality; growing need to move people and goods; high use of private vehicles; use of high emission engine vehicles; absence of appropriate road traffic among others contributed to the continued environmental pollution in Enugu Metropolis. From the study, it was revealed that health concerns (breathing problems, swollen eyes, frustration and anxiety and skin diseases); loss of aesthetic value of the urban environment and indiscriminate littering of refuse on the urban environment among others constituted the consequences of environmental pollution in Enugu Metropolis. Result from the hypothesis show that the consequences of environmental pollution are statistically significant in residential areas of Enugu Metropolis as the p value was (.001) was less than the significance level (α) of 0.05. The major recommendation of this study highlights that adequate awareness and sensitization programmes should be embarked on by physical planners and other stakeholders in the built environment on the dangers of pollution to the human health and environment. This will lead to attitudinal change on the negative actions that result to pollution.

Keywords : Environment; Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Land/Soil Pollution; Noise Pollution; Waste Pollution; Enugu Metropolis.

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This study analyzed the contributory factors to environmental pollution in residential areas of Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria with a view to proffering adequate measures in tackling these problems in the study area. Specific objectives of the study included to identify the various types of environmental pollution and its prevalence in Enugu Metropolis; analyze the factors that contribute to the continued environmental pollution and analyze the consequences of environmental pollution within the metropolis. The study adopted the survey research design which facilitated reach to all respondents. A total of 399 participants were chosen for the study using stratified, purposive, and simple random selection procedures. Information gathering was made easier by interviews, well-structured questionnaires, and in-person observations. Tables, percentages, and averages were used to show and evaluate the collected data, and the Chi-Square test was used to test the hypothesis. The study revealed that air pollution was more prevalent in the study area followed by noise pollution; land/soil pollution; waste pollution and water pollution. The study also found that ageing and ill maintained Tokunbo cars; lower fuel quality; growing need to move people and goods; high use of private vehicles; use of high emission engine vehicles; absence of appropriate road traffic among others contributed to the continued environmental pollution in Enugu Metropolis. From the study, it was revealed that health concerns (breathing problems, swollen eyes, frustration and anxiety and skin diseases); loss of aesthetic value of the urban environment and indiscriminate littering of refuse on the urban environment among others constituted the consequences of environmental pollution in Enugu Metropolis. Result from the hypothesis show that the consequences of environmental pollution are statistically significant in residential areas of Enugu Metropolis as the p value was (.001) was less than the significance level (α) of 0.05. The major recommendation of this study highlights that adequate awareness and sensitization programmes should be embarked on by physical planners and other stakeholders in the built environment on the dangers of pollution to the human health and environment. This will lead to attitudinal change on the negative actions that result to pollution.

Keywords : Environment; Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Land/Soil Pollution; Noise Pollution; Waste Pollution; Enugu Metropolis.

Paper Submission Last Date
28 - February - 2026

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