Contamination levels, health risks and source apportionment of in-vehicle and park dusts potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Abuja, Nigeria

Hafsat Abolore  Ameen; Esther Enyojo  Joseph; Emmanuel Toluwalope  Odediran; Maimuna Orire  Abdulraheem; Jamiu Adetayo  Adeniran

doi:10.18502/japh.v11i1.21266

Hafsat Abolore Ameen Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Esther Enyojo Joseph Department of Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Emmanuel Toluwalope Odediran Department of Chemical Engineering, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
Maimuna Orire Abdulraheem Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Jamiu Adetayo Adeniran Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v11i1.21266

Keywords: Pollution levels; Ecological risk; Exposure hazard; Origin identificatio

Abstract

Introduction: The rapid urbanization and heavy traffic in cities raise concerns about health and environmental risks from Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). This study analyses the levels of contamination, origins, and exposure hazards of 10 PTEs (Fe, As, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni) in dust from five public vehicles and five motor parks in Abuja, Nigeria.

Materials and methods: Digested samples of park dust were analysed for Fe, Pb, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni (ten PTEs) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). PTE sources were ascertained using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) alongside contamination indicators comprising of Enrichment Factor, Geo-accumulation Index, Contamination Factor and Ecological Risk Factor. A new pollution indicator, the Nemerov Integrated Risk Index (NIRI), was evaluated for consistency with existing methods. Exposure risks (cancer and non-cancer causing) were assessed for commuters.

Results: PMF revealed five PTE sources: brake/engine wear (50%), vehicular body wear (1%), tyre wear/lubrication leaks (12%), coal combustion (6%), and vehicular emissions (31%). Cd exhibited the highest contamination levels across all indices. NIRI results aligned with traditional indices, confirming severe Cd pollution. Health risk assessments showed insignificant non- carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for adults and children, though children were more vulnerable.

Conclusion: Traffic-related activities were the dominant sources of PTEs in Abuja’s vehicle and motor park dusts. Cadmium (Cd) exhibited the highest enrichment, exceeding background levels and posing high ecological risk particularly for children, while other PTEs presented low health risks. This study underlines the necessity for targeted mitigation and non-stop monitoring to reduce PTE exposure in urban transit environments.