JETI Admin2
Abstract
Environmental Degradation due to over-the-time activities of man such as excavation of top soil from virgin lands and river beds oftentimes lead to deforestation, gully erosion and flooding. This study assesses and ascertains the level of environmental degradation and the impact caused by the overtime use of conventional masonry construction (Brick and Mortar) in Ilorin municipal area. United Nations model for ascertaining the number of houses in Nigeria was used to determine the numbers of households in Ilorin. On-sight observation of building construction work was used to determine the quantity of materials needed for erecting a building per square meter in Ilorin. The study also considered expanded polystyrene as an alternative to the conventional brick and mortar construction. The result identified the number of houses in Ilorin and indicated that 8,899,630 tons of top soil has been used so far. The results also projected that further degradation of 225,161 tons of top soil yearly. This is because as population is growing the housing construction will also continue to grow. In conclusion, results from our comparative analysis of polystyrene to brick and mortar indicates polystyrene with a density of 1060kg/m3 compared to sand with density of 1602kg/m3 implies construction with polystyrene requires 33% lesser material. Secondly environmental degradation arising from brick and mortar is not the case with polystyrene. Also polystyrene is recyclable thus conforming to the circular Economy, Environmental sustainability standard “ESG” which emphasizes reduction in material use, recycle of material and overall efficiency of material without harming the environment. This is in contrast to brick and mortar material.
References
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