Source identifcation and health risk assessments of heavy metals in indoor dusts of Ilorin, North central Nigeria
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Date
2022-01-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
Abstract
Background and Purpose Exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in indoor dusts is a serious public concern that is linked to a
myriad of deleterious health outcomes. The objectives of this study are to estimate the contamination levels of HMs in indoor
dusts of diferent residential areas in Ilorin, Nigeria; identify HMs sources in diferent residential areas; and evaluate human
health risks of HMs in selected residential areas.
Methods Indoor dust sampling was conducted in ten randomly selected from low, medium and high population density
residential areas of Ilorin, Nigeria. Ten HMs concentration levels, their health risk implication and the associated potential
ecological risks were evaluated.
Results The mean concentration levels measured for Fe, Pb, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Mn and Ni were 38.99, 5.74, 3.99, 0.08,
2.82, 2.13, 0.47, 0.60, 6.45 and 1.09 mg/kg, respectively. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model was applied to ascer tain sources of HMs in sampled indoor dust. Percentage contribution from oil-based cooking (29.82%) and transportation
(29.77%) represented the highest source to HM concentrations among the six factors identifed. The results of the various
pollution indices employed showed that Pb, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni contributed moderately to HMs concentration
levels in the sampled dusts. Cd had highest potential ecological risk factor (Eir)of between 160 and 320. The average values
of Enrichment Factors (EFs) obtained aside from Fe used as the reference metal, ranged between 8.46 (As) and 2521.61(Cd).
Health risk assessment results revealed that children are the most susceptible to the risks associated with HMs bound indoor
dust than the adults. The percentage risk contributions of Hazard Quotient via ingestion route (HQing) in Hazard Index (HI)
for non-cancer risk of indoor HMs were 93.17% and 69.87% in children and adults, respectively. Likewise, the percentage
cancer risks contribution through ingestion pathway (CRing) were higher than cancer risks through inhalation and dermal
pathways (CRinh and CRdermal), accounting for 99.84% and 97.04% of lifetime cancer risk in children and adults, respectively.
The contamination level of Cd recorded is of great concern and signifes very strong contribution from anthropogenic sources.
Conclusion This study has further revealed the levels of HMs in typical African residential settings that could be used by
relevant stakeholders and policy makers in developing lasting control measures.
Description
Keywords
Health risk assessment, Heavy metals, Indoor dust, Pollution indicators, Positive matrix factorization, Residential area