Toxicological Profiling of Dusts from Selected Public Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The potential toxicity effects and health risk of exposure to heavy metals in dust samples from selected primary schools’ windows in Rivers State was studied. Twenty-seven samples from nine Public Primary Schools were collected from selected Local Government Areas based on factors such as proximity to urban industrialization, and high traffic ways. Dusts from window corners were analysed for Pb, Cd, Cr and As using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, GF, Flame HVG, model: S4=71096). Results showed mean maximum levels for Pb (21.26±0.12 mgkg^-1) and Cd (2.36±0.00 mgkg^-1) in Schools B₂ and A₁ while mean maximum levels for Cr (42.46±0.12 mgkg^-1) and As (0.94±0.1 mgkg^-1) was seen in school C₂. Heavy metal pollution profiling revealed high Cd load in all samples except in B₃. Multiple Pollution Index (MPI) decreased in the order A₁ >A₂ >B₂ >B₁ >A₃ >C₂ >C₃ >C₁ >B₃. Chronic daily intake dose (CDI_{ingestion, dermal} and _inhalation) were below the recommended reference doses with ingestion contributing more to exposure than dermal or inhalation. Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were below 1. Furthermore, Life cancer Risks (TLCR) indicated that children population in the study areas may be more vulnerable to carcinogenic risk and may pose a public health concern.

Key words: Heavy Metals, Dusts, Public Primary School, Health Risk Assessment, Carcinogenic Risks.

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/15-4-05

Publication date:September 30th 2025