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Abstract
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Article Information:
Heavy Metals Content in Classroom Dust of Some Public Primary Schools in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria
O.E. Popoola, O. Bamgbose, O.J. Okonkwo, T.A. Arowolo A.O. Popoola and O.R. Awofolu
Corresponding Author: O.E. Popoola
Submitted: February 09, 2012
Accepted: March 10, 2012
Published: April 15, 2012 |
Abstract:
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This aim of the study is to determine the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd and Mn) in 40 dust
samples obtained from the classrooms of some public primary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Children are
more susceptible to the adverse health effects of heavy metal pollution due to their small body size, developing
nervous system, high absorption rate and behavioral pattern present during childhood. Exposure to heavy
metalladen dustis considered to be a significant contributor. To assess the extent of pollution by heavy metals,
classroom dust samples were obtained from 40 selected schools in Lagos, Nigeria. The samples were subjected
to aqua regia microwave digestion and analysed using graphite furnace atomic absorption
spectrophotometer.The results showed that the classroom dusts contained PbHD 23.89±16.39, PbLD 22.77±9.21;
CrHD 10.53±5.08, CrLD 6.17±2.47; CdHD 0.09±0.12, CdLD 0.09±0.10 μg/g, respectively. Interestingly, the highest
concentration of lead (82.51 μg/g) was found in a classroom far removed from any commercial or industrial
activites, Ajeromi-Ifelodun high density area while Ikeja, a more industrialized area has lower concentration
of the metal. The values obtained in this study are lower than expected but it is still a source of concern since
children are exposed to this environment daily and for appreciable period of time.
Key words: Children, classroom, dust, heavy metal, cancer, Lagos,
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Cite this Reference:
O.E. Popoola, O. Bamgbose, O.J. Okonkwo, T.A. Arowolo A.O. Popoola and O.R. Awofolu, . Heavy Metals Content in Classroom Dust of Some Public Primary Schools in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (04): 460-465.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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