Lead Concentration in Primary School Soil-Dust in Nigeria, Africa
Lead Concentration in Primary School Soil-Dust in Nigeria, Africa
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Date
2013
Authors
Ekwumemgbo, P. A.
Omoniyi, K. I.
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Abstract
Lead in soil has been recognized as a public health problem, particularly among children. In recent
years, attention has been directed to cumulative adverse effects of lead at low levels of intake. Lead contaminated soil and dust have been identified as important contributors to blood lead levels. This work
examines the total concentration of lead in primary school soil-dust in Nigeria. Soil-dusts were collected
randomly from six geopolitical areas of Nigeria, digested and analysed for total lead concentration by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean lead concentration in the dry season for the North East (NE), North West (NW), North Central (NC), South South (SS), South East (SE), South West (SW) were 131.60 ± 70.98 mg/kg, 108.04 ± 47.33 mg/kg, 72.94 ± 55.45 mg/kg, 66.14 ± 43.9 mg/kg, 45.98 ± 34.60 mg/kg and 67.98 ± 34.89 mg/kg respectively. In the raining season the mean lead concentration were 130.78 ± 70.80 mg/kg, 106.24 ± 47.02 mg/kg, 70.96 ± 55.52 mg/kg, 64.12 ± 48.00 mg/kg, 44.58 ± 28.90 mg/kg, and 66.26 ± 41.87 mg/kg respectively. This analysis is necessary to provide scientific data base for the loading of lead in classroom soil-dust in each zone. The authors recommend measurement and surveillance of lead blood level of the primary school children and a clean-up of both classrooms and the school environment.
Description
conference proceeding
Keywords
Nigeria,, soil-dust, lead, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, concentration, soil-dust,, lead,, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry,, concentration,