Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Indoor Dusts from Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
S. N. Awolo
Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Nigeria.
T. J. K. Ideriah *
Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Nigeria.
J. L. Konne
Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Nigeria.
M. O. Akinfolarin
Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In educational environments such as secondary schools, poor air quality poses risk due to long-term student exposure as well as potential respiratory morbidity. Dust particles in school environments are major source for toxic elements. Contaminated classroom dust can pose a potential risk to the health of young school children. This study therefore conducted a comprehensive assessment of concentrations of potentially toxic elements in indoor dusts at some secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Field sampling was carried out using standard procedures and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer by Perkin Elmer Analyst 400. The results revealed a heterogeneous spatial distribution of the elements with chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) generally occurring at very low concentrations (0.001 mg/kg), except for localized elevations at PH04CSSN (0.0825±0.0815 mg/kg and 0.1235±0.12 mg/kg respectively) and PH07GCSS (As, 0.47±0.41 mg/kg) showed pronounced site- specific peaks with high variability, while copper (Cu) concentrations were notably elevated at PH06GGSS and PH07GCSS (0.822±0.097mg/kg and 1.2825±0.4175 mg/kg respectively). Lead (Pb) exhibited extreme enrichment at PH05CIA (1.2855±1.2645 mg/kg), indicating probable point-source contamination, whereas cadmium (Cd) remained low with minor increases at a few locations. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships among several schools, implying shared contamination sources or similar environmental influences. A Two-way ANOVA indicated borderline statistical differences across schools and metals, further confirming spatial heterogeneity. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved cleaning and dust management practices in schools, continuous air quality monitoring, and targeted policy interventions addressing traffic and industrial emissions. Regular maintenance and cleaning of classrooms, including wet-mopping instead of sweeping, can significantly reduce coarse particulate and dusts resuspension were recommended.
Keywords: Toxic elements, health risk, indoor dusts, secondary schools, Nigeria