Heavy Metals Concentration at Electronic-Waste Dismantling Sites and Dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria

Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Soil at E-waste Blazing Sites in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

“…Richard et al [19] reported that metals complexation with dissolved organic matter at higher pH can ensure solubility which can also ensure metal mobility. The pH results from LC 1 and LC 2 were in agreement with the findings of Buszewski et al [20], while those from LC 3 were in agreement with the observations of Ofudje et al [21] and Akpoveta et al [22]. This might be as a result of the release of acidic substances from e-waste such as lead/cadmium batteries into the soil.…”

“…The mean value of chromium concentration for all the soil samples analyzed fell below the value recommended by USEPA [23] and European Union [24]. The results of this study were higher than 0.10 to 0.35 mg/kg and 0.46 to 2.20 mg/kg reported by Adaramodu et al [17] and Anyakora et al [26], but lower than 89.10±0.15 reported by Abdallah et al [29] and agree well with 10.51±0.01± to 19.65±0.55 and 16.84 to 38.21 mg/kg as reported by Ofudje et al [21] and Akpoveta et al [22] respectively. Owing to the high conductivity and anti corrosive properties of chromium and its oxide, they are widely applied in the manufacture of electrical and electronics substances.…”

“…Short-term exposure to Pb could result in diarrhea, vomiting, convulsion or coma, while long term exposure could result in kidney and nervous damage, cause brain and blood disorder and could leads to death [25]. The results from this study were found to be higher than 2.1 to 12.50 mg/kg and 0.21 to 0.42 mg/kg reported by Anyakora et al [26] and Opaluwa et al [27] respectively but agree well with 99±7.18 to 151±29.86 mg/kg and 68.46±5.02 to 120.45±9.42 mg/kg recorded by Atayese et al [28] and Ofudje et al [21].…”

“…However, chromium can be easily absorbed in human body which could cause irritation to skin, eyes and membrane, while chronic exposure could cause damage to DNA, cancer and permanent eye injury [30]. [21]. Zinc is an essential element which is required by human body for healthy development.…”

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The evaluation of open blazing of electronic waste on the chemical composition of three different soil where e-waste were regularly being burnt with control samples at various distances away from each blazing site at computer village, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Zn, Cd and Cu from the three locations were Ofudje et al; ACSj, 7(1): 60-70, 2015; Article no.ACSj.2015.061 61 found to be 120. 3±0.4, 18.7±1.3, 90.3±0.4, 16.4±0.5 and 60.3±2.0 mg/kg respectively.

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