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Impact Of Traffic Congestion On Workers Health
[A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA]
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1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Traffic congestion is becoming an
increasing source of air pollution. First, traffic congestion increase
emissions, motor vehicles emerged as the greatest contributor to
atmosphere warming as cars, buses and trucks release pollutants and
green house gases that promotes global warming.
Traffic congestion
makes motorist to inhale vehicular smoke emission resulting into
diseases. Carlos (1999) opined that inhalation of particulate matter is
associated with increase in people with asthma, reduction in lung
function and admission to hospital for respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases. Fergusson, Mahiswalis and Daly (2004) also agreed that air
pollution has been lined to morbidity and mortality from various
diseases such as coronary disease, aggravation of respiratory disorder
and obstructive pulmonary diseases. It is in relation to nasal and
ocular symptoms that vehicle exhaust fumes probably have their greatest
effects. Surveys in Germany and Japan have shown a higher prevalence of
allergic Rhinitis in areas with heavy pollution from automobile
exhausts, (Wikipedia, 2010). Road traffic congestion creates mental
stress. Stress can be caused by the amount of traffic congestion
resulting into road rage has become an increasing social problem. It has
been the cause of many attacks on car drivers and has even resulted in
several deaths. Disorders attributable to stress includes hypertension,
headache, backache, skin disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers.
Stress is also believed to contribute to coronary heart disease and some
case of cancer (Averbach and Cambling, 1997). Stress can also
contribute to some respiratory disorder. For example, stress can trigger
asthma while proximity to traffic was recently reported to be
associated with wheeze in infants, air pollution related to traffic is
significantly associated with triggering of wheezing symptoms in the
first 3 years of life (Andersen, et al 2008). Almost one in three
drivers suffers from a newly recognized disorder, named “Traffic Stress
Syndromeâ€. This is a form of psychological anxiety that certainly affect
drivers, while stuck in traffic. Symptoms normally show after being
held up in traffic. It is characterized by increased heart rates,
headaches, and sweaty palms. In more severe cases, drivers report
nausea, dizziness and stomach cramps.
General and Specific Objectives of the Study
The
general objective of this study was to examine the effects of traffic
congestion on the workers who experience it daily in Lagos, to achieve
this; the following specific objectives were set.
To identify the causes of urban traffic congestion in Lagos
To find out the types of health challenges Traffic congestions causes to workers.
To determine the relationship between traffic congestion and health in Lagos.
To proffer probable solutions
Research Hypothesis
Hypothesis One
Ho: There is a significant relationship between traffic congestion and health effects in Lagos
Hi: There is no relationship between traffic congestion and health effects in Lagos
Hypothesis Two
Ho: Workers develop health challenges as a result of traffic congestion in Lagos.
Hi: Workers don’t develop health challenges as a result of traffic congestion in Lagos.
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