Health risk assessment due to environmental radioactivity and heavy metal contamination at the central solid waste dumpsite in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Authors

  • E. O. Echeweozo Department of Industrial / Medical Physics, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; International Institute of Nuclear Medicine \& Allied Health Research, DUFUHS, Ebonyi State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7091-8023
  • C. I. Nworie Department of Industrial / Medical Physics, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • A. O. Ojobeagu Department of Industrial / Medical Physics, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • P. B. Otah Department of Industrial / Medical Physics, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • I. J. Okoro Department of Medical Biochemistry, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Heavy Metal, Environmental radioactivity, Dumpsite, Radiological hazards, Solid waste

Abstract

The study assessed the levels of radiation exposure due to environmental radioactivity and heavy metal contamination at the central solid waste dumpsite in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State and its health impact on surrounding communities. Soil samples collected from landfills/dumpsites, farms, and control sites were assessed to determine environmental radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations, and compared to the control site values. The radioactivity concentration was determined using a NaI(Ti) gamma spectrometer. The estimated radiological hazard indices from the dumpsite and farmland showed that the average values of Radium Equivalent (Req), and excess lifetime cancer risk are 146 Bq kg-1 and 1.445 x 10-3 respectively. The average concentration of heavy metals in soil samples was evaluated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of heavy metals in studied samples showed that Pb > Fe > Cu > Zn > Co > Ni > Cd > Cr > Hg > As. Soil contamination was based on the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), Potential ecological risk coefficient (RI), Chronic daily take (CDI), Total carcinogenic risk index (TCRI), Total hazard quotient (THQ) and pollution load index (PLI). The average values of Igeo, CDI, TCRI, THQ and PLI for dumpsites and surrounding farms were 2.01, 207.19, 6.1 x 10-2, 2.66, 0.95 and 1.33 respectively. Generally, high concentrations of Pb and Fe were observed at the dumpsites and surrounding farmlands have potential negative health implications for the health of humans and plants around the dumpsite.

Dimensions

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Published

2025-05-01

How to Cite

Health risk assessment due to environmental radioactivity and heavy metal contamination at the central solid waste dumpsite in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. (2025). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 7(2), 2160. https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2025.2160

Issue

Volume 7, Issue 2, May 2025 (In Progress)

Section

Physics & Astronomy
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Copyright (c) 2025 E. O. Echeweozo, C. I. Nworie, A. O. Ojobeagu, P. B. Otah, I. J. Okoro

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Health risk assessment due to environmental radioactivity and heavy metal contamination at the central solid waste dumpsite in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. (2025). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 7(2), 2160. https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2025.2160