Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Metalloid Levels in Soil around Metal Works Wukari

Abstract

Metal works process is one of the most important anthropogenic sources of heavy metal emissions into environment, consequently posing a risk to human health through inhalations, ingestion and dermal contact. This study assessed the total levels of Al, Si, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cd in soils around metal works, their potential risk to the environment and health. The study provides baseline of the determine analytes in the under review as well as the potential risk associated with them. Soil quality parameters reveals the soil pH 8.78±0.30 as strongly alkaline (8.50 – 9.00), organic matter content (2.15±0.42%) and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) (18.56 cmol/kg) been moderate. The heavy metals and metalloid levels were in the order: Fe (20647 mg/kg) > Al (3940.90 mg/kg) > Zn (373.03 mg/kg) > Pb (120.2 mg/kg) > Si (45.54 mg/kg) > Cd (6.37 mg/kg) respectively where the geo-accumulation indices of Zn (1.73), Pb (2.52) and Cd (5.27) showed moderate contamination with respect to zinc; moderate to strong contamination wit.h respect to lead and strong to extreme contamination with respect to cadmium. Similarly, contamination factor of Zn (4.97) reveals considerable contamination with zinc likewise the contamination factors of Pb (8.58) and Cd (57.9) implied very high contamination by Pb and Cd. Cancer Risk (CR) of Pb and Cd in adults were all greater than the value found for children in all respect either via ingestion, inhalation or dermal route of exposures. The CRderm of both Cd and Pb exceeded the carcinogenic risk limit of 1.0×10-4 hence indicates a lifetime cancer risk to both children and adults. Hence, the soil is recommended for cleanup in order to guaranty sound health and ecological sustainability with respect to the contaminants.

Heavy Metal Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Groundwater and Soil in and Around Peenya Industrial Area, Bengaluru

“…In 1969, Müller developed the first geo-accumulation indicator, which is represented as I geo . In the present study use I geo to assess metal pollution in soil (Yerima et al, 2023, Ratnakar et al, 2020, Gong et al, 2008. Compare present concentrations to pre-industrialization levels.…”

Assessment of Drugs Production Operations Impact on Minerals and Heavy Metals Levels of Soils Around the Facilities

“…The digest was filtered and diluted to the 50 mL mark with deionized water. The levels of minerals and heavy metals were quantified using a Micro Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (4210 MP-AES Agilent technologies) (Yerima et al, 2023).…”