Assessment of Environmental Distribution of Lead in Some Municipalities of South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Lead (Pb) levels were measured in roadside surface soils, dust particles and rain water samples from the urban cities of Enugu, Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba, Port Harcourt and Warri in Southern Nigeria in 2007 and 2008. Samples were collected during the dry season, while rain water samples were collected during the early rain (April–June), mid rain (July–August) and late rain seasons (September–October) for the two years. Soil samples were collected from traffic congested roads, dust was collected by tying a plastic basin on a pole 1.5 m above ground level and leaving it for 45 days. Rain samples were collected from three equidistant points. Samples were analyzed by AAS. The highest soil Pb of 120.00 ± 0.00 and 80.36 ± 0.00 mg/kg were reported in Onitsha for 2007 and 2008, respectively. Nnewi showed 33.40 ± 0.01 and 4,238.29 ± 0.00 mg/kg for 2007 and 2008. Aba had 22.56 ± 0.01 and 21.28 ± 0.00 mg/kg for 2007 and 2008. Higher concentrations were recorded for Nnewi and Port Harcourt in 2008 than in 2007. Enugu had more in 2007 while Awka had more in 2008. Dust Pb ranged from 0.13–0.49 mg/kg and 0.15–0.47 mg/kg for 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rain samples had the least Pb concentration, ranging from 0.103 ± 0.000 to 0.163 ± 0.046 mg/L. We may conclude that Nigerians are exposed to environmental Pb.

Depletion of cellular adenosine triphosphate and hepatocellular damage in rat after subchronic exposure to leachate from anthropogenic recycling site

“…15 The possible deleterious effects of these heavy metals among occupationally exposed painters in Nigeria have also been documented. [16][17][18][19] Widespread contamination of the environment with lead (Pb) is consistent with the results of epidemiological studies that have found elevated blood Pb levels in a large proportion of Nigerian children. 16,18 In Nigeria, the recycling means of rechargeable batteries containing Co, Ni, Cr, and Cd does not conform to the standard regulatory authorities as the approach to material recovery currently taking place is labor intensive and inimical to both ecosystem and environment.…”

“…As observed, there was no significant increase (p > 0.05) between 40% and 80% doses of the treated rats following subacute exposure. As shown in Figure 5, the rats exposed to EOMABRSL for 60 days (long-term exposure) had a significant (p < 0.05) increase in MDA content by 16 Figure 10). Figure 11 illustrates the different histopathological changes that were observed in the liver of animals that were given various doses in the study.…”

Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soils and commonly consumed food crops from quarry sites located at Isiagwu, Ebonyi State

“…Despite the negative impact environmental pollution, the Nigerian government have not paid serious attention to environmental pollution and degradation [9]. An efficient environmental remediation will be dependent on assessment of the health risk considering several age groups and the joint effort of both government, regulatory bodies and voluntary service [5].…”

Impact of informal electronic waste recycling on metal concentrations in soils and dusts

“…This is an indication that the toxic elements in the electronics contaminate the urban environment. In Aba, the Pb concentrations in roadside dust from repair and control sites were higher than the Pb concentrations in roadside dust in 2007 and 2008 as reported by Nduka and Orisakwe (2010). In addition, the metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Cr) in roadside dust from the control sites in Lagos were higher than the levels found in 2012 by Adaramodu et al in 2012.…”