Key Air Quality Pollutants from Bioethanol Production Using Cassava Peels: Reflections of the Industrial Society

  • Aliyu Ibrahim Yahaya
  • Temidayo O. Enetanya, PhD

Abstract

Air quality is essential for sustaining life on Earth and plays a critical role in various biological processes. However, the introduction of pollutants such as chemicals, particulate matter, and contaminants into the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuels compromises air quality, leading to severe health and environmental consequences. Approximately seven million deaths worldwide are attributed annually to air pollution-related illnesses, ranging from acute respiratory conditions to long-term diseases like lung cancer and neurological disorders. However, this study reveals that while bioethanol production offers a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, the industrial processes involved also contribute to air pollution. This underscores the paradox of industrial societies: while technological advancements can drive progress, they simultaneously introduce new environmental and health risks, such as elevated levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC). In an industrial society, where mass production and consumption dominate, these byproducts of bioethanol production can exacerbate air quality concerns, particularly in countries like Nigeria with weaker environmental regulations. Bioethanol production from cassava peels represents a critical intersection between technological advancement, mass production, and environmental sustainability. Industrial society, characterized by mass production and technological innovation, significantly shapes energy consumption patterns, particularly in the transport and energy sectors. The shift towards biofuels, such as bioethanol, responds to the environmental challenges posed by fossil fuels, reflecting industrial society's capacity for technological solutions to pressing issues like climate change and air pollution. The emissions from bioethanol production highlight the tension between industrial expansion and environmental sustainability—an inherent feature of modern industrial societies. The findings of this study emphasize the dual role of industrial society in advancing cleaner energy alternatives and introducing new challenges related to air quality. This underlines the need for more sustainable practices and stronger regulatory frameworks, particularly in developing countries, to mitigate the environmental and public health risks associated with bioethanol production

Published
2025-02-02