Health consequences of SMEs in Bida, Nigeria

The research intends to look at the consequences of small & medium scale enterprises on the environment by assessing the existing land use pattern of Bida, using Geographical Information Systems (ArcGIS), to delineate the study area in order to ascertain the level of compliance with land use space standards. The study equally divulged the various land uses that violate the planning space standards & the resultant consequences on the inhabitants¿ health. The study, which employed case study method revealed that areas with high concentration of SMEs have the highest level of Carbon II Oxide emission while average ambient noise level in sawmills, recording studios, road junctions & industrial areas was above 90 dB (A). Pollution levels recorded in Bida were all contrary to National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency¿s (NESREA) recommendation. Furthermore, SPSS statistical analysis was employed for empirical analysis of the research result. The study therefore, recommends environmental management practices which include planting of trees, preservation of open spaces & landscaping to mitigate the level of emissions & effluents into air, water & soil.