Heavy metals concentration at electronic-waste dismantling sites and dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Title Heavy metals concentration at electronic-waste dismantling sites and dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 4
Issue 6
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
URL http://www.sdiarticle1.org/prh/IRJPAC_7/2014/Reviewer_LL_A_7694.pdf
Abstract
The importation and refurbishing of second-hand electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is a major concern all over the
world and Nigeria is not in exception owing to the generation of e-wastes. The assessment of the levels of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd
and Zn in the dust of dismantling sites and soil of dumpsites from Lagos municipal was performed using Atomic
26 Absorption Spectroscopy. Control samples were also taken at 1km away from each site. At the dismantling sites, the
27 concentration of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd and Zn were found to range between 99.63 to 141.90 mg/kg, 14.80 to 21.88 mg/kg, 30.41
to 55.68 mg/kg, 10.55 to 23.56 mg/kg and 57.61 to 111.48 mg/kg, while that of the control site ranged between 44.31 to
73.33 mg/kg, 6.62 to 13.42 mg/kg, 16.44 to 34.13 mg/kg, 5.86 to 14.40 mg/kg and 20.35 to 60.73 mg/kg respectively. At
the dumpsites, the contents of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd and Zn were found to range between 152.30 to 328.40 mg/kg, 23.94 to
31 30.80 mg/kg, 53.75 to 64.81 mg/kg, 24.86 to 31.40 mg/kg and from 211.46 to 306.94 mg/kg, while that at the control sites
32 range between 74.60 to 162.90 mg/kg, 11.43 to 16.52 mg/kg, 36.91 to 41.43 mg/kg, 10.91 to 20.84 mg/kg and 116.90 to
33 178.31 mg/kg respectively. Heavy metals concentrations at the dumpsites were found to be higher than what was
34 observed in the dust samples at the dismantling sites. Also, the control samples showed lower concentration when
compared with the dismantling sites and that of the dumpsites. Thus, e-waste contributes to the concentration of heavy
metals in the soil and dust sample where e-waste are being dismantled and the dumpsites where the unused electrical
and electronic equipment are being disposed.

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