A PROBABILISTIC HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN DUSTS WITHIN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN OWO METROPOLIS, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
Author:
Popoola, O.J., Omiyeniyi, O.S.
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
This study was carried out to assess the extent of health risk associated with heavy metals in dusts settled in selected schools in Owo city, southwestern Nigeria. Thirty-two dust samples were collected in eight selected schools in the town following internationally accepted techniques of sample collection. All samples were processed and analyzed for As, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that the average amount of arsenic As (mg/kg) in classroom ground, entrance, window and playground samples were 1.32, 1.35, 0.59 and 0.75 respectively while the concentration of Zn (mg/kg) in the samples were 82.12, 125.71, 71.42 and 71.61 respectively. Pollution load index (PLI) showed that the dusts were moderately to very strongly contaminated by the metals. Statistical evaluation showed that metals in the dusts were from similar sources. Sources identified include: vehicular movements and exhausts, waste disposal, industrial emissions, and urban expansion. Health risk assessment uncovered that children are mostly exposed to non-carcinogenic illness. It is suggested that the environment under which children study should be kept clean to maintain good health for both children and adults.
Pages | 70-86 |
Year | 2024 |
Issue | 2 |
Volume | 4 |