Looking at more current readings of PM2.5 taken in Lagos in early 2021, some more valuable data can be imparted regarding the air pollution levels. Due to Lagos being the largest and most densely populated city in Nigeria, as well as the whole of Africa, it would thus hold the key to what the more severe readings of pollution in Nigeria would be like, with its multitude of industrial areas, busy roads and other similar areas all painting a clearer picture of the pollution levels in the country. In February of 2021, Lagos came in with PM2.5 readings ranging from lows of 18.1 μg/m³, up to highs of 78.7 μg/m³. These are readings that were taken over the course of a single day, and show the vast disparity present in such a short period of time.
This higher reading of 78.7 μg/m³ would put Lagos into the ‘unhealthy’ ratings bracket, which requires a PM2.5 reading of anywhere between 55.5 to 150.4 μg/m³ for classification. As the name implies, this level of air quality would be extremely damaging to the population, and when pollution levels rise to these highs there would be a whole host of different short and long term issues associated with breathing the air, some of which will be delved into further. On average, however, Lagos had PM2.5 readings between 30 to 50 μg/m³, making it move back and forth from moderate pollution ratings up to ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ ones (35.5 to 55.4 μg/m³ required).