A PROBABILISTIC HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN DUSTS WITHIN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN OWO METROPOLIS, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

 Popoola, O.J. and Omiyeniyi, O.S. (2024)

A Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Dusts Within Selected Schools in Owo Metropolis, Southwest Nigeria. Journal of Healthcare in Developing Countries, 4(2): 70-86. DOI: http://doi.org/10.26480/jhcdc.02.2024.70.86

This study was carried out to assess the extent of health risk associated with heavy metals in dust 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 analysed for As, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn using an 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 was 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 dust 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.