This study focused on developing a new copolymer binder from Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and Guna seed oil, in which the copolymer binder was used to formulate an emulsion paint. The emulsion paint formulated from the novel copolymer binder of polyvinyl acetate- hydroxylated guna seed oil (PVAc/HGSO) was characterised and compared with paint made from conventional polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) binder. Seed oil from guna was extracted mechanically using cold press method, and the extracted guna seed oil were successively subjected to epoxidation and hydroxylation reaction processes. The hydroxylated guna seed oil (HGSO) was copolymerised with conventional polyvinyl acetate in different ratio of 10 to 70% of hydroxylated oil, to formulate a novel PVAc/HGSO copolymer binder. The physico-chemical properties of the formulated copolymer binder were compared with the standard value acceptable in coating industry inorder to ascertain the better blend ratio that will be suitable for paint production. The better blend copolymer binder was used in production of an emulsion paint. The physico-chemical parameters on the formulated emulsion paint were compared with paint formulated using only PVAc as a binder and acceptable value in the coating industry. The novel formulated emulsion paint found to be increased in gloss, adhesion and flexibility, which are major setback in paint produced using conventional PVAc only as a binder. Therefore, the novel PVAc/HGSO can be used to produce an emulsion paint.

This study aimed at assessing the trace metals contents of cobwebs using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The cobwebs were collected from male’s hostel; females hostel, chemistry laboratory, and lecture theatre areas in order to establish the level of suspended trace metals in the atmosphere. The cobwebs were digested with aqua regia before analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The highest concentration value of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Co, Cd, Na, and Mg are 10.388±4.734, 4.228±3.267, 0.461±0.900, 0.639±0,529, 0.13±0.05, 0.115±0.099, 0.004±0.001, 0.600±0.400, and 0.015±0.035 mg/L respectively, from MH, FH, CL, and LT. It was found that, the concentration of trace metals in cobwebs decreases as the harmattan, burning of dumpsite, and school activities decrease. In general, the total concentration of all elements varied from 10.388 mg/L assessed at male hostel (MH) to 0.002 mg/L at lecture theatre (LT). The values recorded for all the element may be due to the use of cosmetic; dust, heating equipment (stoves, heater, fireplaces), paint, burning of refuses, vehicle emission, insecticide or pesticides usage, tobacco smoke around the study area. The fact that appreciable values of trace metals were recorded in the study area affirmed the presence of unsafe air in the institution. Therefore, there is a need not only to curb activities that increase these trace metals, but also to ensure perennial brooming and removing cobwebs dusts in the institution.

This study assessed the effect of the dumpsite and vehicle exhaust on green leaf vegetable (Amaranthus hybridus), Jute-ewedu (Corchorus olitorius), and spinach (Amaranthus oleracea) by examining the heavy metal distribution in three vegetables from Ipaja farm (farm near a dumpsite), and Ikola farm (farm close to the tarred road) and compared with the concentration of heavy metals from Shasha farm (a secluded farm) and World Health Organisation/ Food and Agriculture Organisation (WHO/FAO) standard. The leaves of these vegetables were air-dried, digested, and analysed for the presence of Arsenic (As), Magnesium (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The heavy metals values at Shasha farm were within the permissible range set by WHO/FAO. However, at the Ipaja farm, Lead and Cadmium were beyond the WHO/FAO permissive range in green-leaf (2.311±0.003mg/kg, 0.201±0.013 mg/kg), while only Lead in Jute-ewedu (2.011±0.003 mg/kg) and Spinach (2.011±0.003mg/kg). At the Ikola farm, Arsenic, Lead and Cadmium were beyond the WHO/FAO acceptable value in green vegetable (0.329±0.012 mg/kg, 4.122±0.007 mg/kg, 2.941±0.0011 mg/kg), while only Lead and Cadmium in Jute-ewedu (3.241±0.007mg/kg, 2.391±0.005 mg/kg), and Spinach (3.69±0.015mg/kg, 2.32±0.004 mg/kg). The increase in the metal concentration from the Ipaja farm suggests the feasibility of metal mobility from the dumpsite to the nearer farm. Also, vehicular exhaustion may contribute to the increase of Cadmium and Lead present in the vegetables planted along the tarred road. Government should dissuade citizens from creating improper dumpsites and ensure vegetable farms are cited away from the main road.