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

[1] M. S. Rahman, Z. Ahmed, S. M. Seefat, R. Alam, A. R. M. T. Islam, T. R. Choudhury, B. A. Begum & A. M. Idris, “Assessment of heavy metal contamination in sediment at the newly established tannery industrial Estate in Bangladesh: A case study”, Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology 4 (2022) 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enceco.2021.10.001.

[2] ICRP, “2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection”, International commission on radiological protection 103 (2007) 2. https://www.icrp.org/publication.asp?id=ICRP20Publication%20103.

[3] UNSCEAR, “Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation”, Report of the united nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation to the general assembly, New York, USA, 2000, pp. 83–157. https://www.unscear.org/docs/publications/2000/UNSCEAR_2000_Report_Vol.I.pdf.

[4] P. C. Ogbonna, I. P. Okezie, U. R. Onyeizu, E. Biose, O. U. Nwankwo & E. C. Osuagwu, “Analysis of soil quality status and accumulation of potentially toxic elements in food crops growing at fecal sludge dumpsite in Ubakala, Nigeria”, Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology 5 (2021) 197. http://dx.doi.org/10.36263/nijest.2021.01.0273.

[5] Y. Lu & Q. Jia, “Pollution and risk assessment of heavy metals in the sediments and soils around tiegelongnan copper deposit, Northern Tibit China”, Journal of Chemistry 2021 (2021) 8925866. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8925866.

[6] C. S. C. Wong, X. D. Li, G. Zhang, S. H. Qi & X Z. Peng, “Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in the pearl river delta, china”, Atmospheric Environment 37 (2003) 767. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00929-9.

[7] A. Burges, L. Epelde & C. Garbisu, “Impact of repeated single-metal and multi-metal pollution events on soil quality”, Chemosphere 120 (2015) 8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.05.037.

[8] M. Guney, G. J. Zagury, N. Dogan & T. T. Onay, “Exposure assessment and risk characterization from trace elements following soil ingestion by children exposed to playgrounds, parks and picnic areas”, Journal of Hazardous Materials 182 (2010) 656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.06.082.

[9] E. P. Nobi, E. Dilipan, T. Thangaradjou, K. Sivakumar & L. Kannan, “Geochemical and Geostatistical assessment of heavy metal concentration in the sediments of different coastal ecosystems of Andaman Islands, India”, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 87 (2010) 253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2009.12.019.

[10] X. Liu, Q. Song & Y. Tang, “Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil-vegetable system: a multi-medium analysis”, The Science of the Total Environment 530 (2013) 463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.06.064.

[11] M. Eshaimi, N. Ouazzani, M. Avila, G. Perez, M. Valiente & L. Mandi, “Heavy metal contamination of soils and water resources at Kettara abandoned mine”, American Journal of Environmental Science 8 (2012) 253. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2012.253.261.

[12] N. N. Jibiri, M. O. Isinkaye & H. A. Momoh, “Assessment of radiation exposure levels at alaba ewaste dumpsite in comparison with municipal waste dumpsites in Southwest Nigeria”, Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences 7 (2014) 536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2014.09.002.

[13] United Nations (UNSCEAR), “Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. report of the united nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation to the general assembly”, New York, USA, 2008. https://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/2008_1.html.

[14] E. O. Echeweozo & I. S. Okeke, “Activity concentrations and distribution of 40k, 232th, and 238u with respect to depth and associated radiation risks in three kaolin mining sites in Umuahia, Nigeria”, Chemistry Africa 71 (2021) 717. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42250-021-00271-7.

[15] F. O. Ugbede & E. O. Echeweozo, “Estimation of annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk from background ionizing radiation levels within and around quarry site in OkpotoEzillo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria”, Journal of Environment and Earth Science 7 (2017) 74. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEES/article/view/40232.

[16] E. O. Echeweozo & P. Ike, “Evaluation of heavy metal accumulation at ebonyi waste recycling dumpsite and health implications to surrounding population”, Polytechnica 7 (2024) 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41050-024-00049-z.

[17] A. Q. Aziz, T. Shahina, U. D. Kamal, M. Shahid, C. Chiara & W. Abdul, “evaluation of excessive lifetime cancer risk due to natural radioactivity in the river sediments of Northern Pakistan”, Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences 7 (2014) 438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2014.07.008.

[18] H. Alidadi, S. B. T. Sany, B. Z. G. Oftadeh, T. Mohamad, H. Shamszadeh & M. Fakhari, “health risk assessments of arsenic and toxic heavy metal exposure in drinking water in Northeast Iran”, Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 24 (2019) 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-019-0812-x.

[19] U. B. Onyedikachi, D. C. Belonwu & M. O. Wegwu, “Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soils and commonly consumed food crops from quarry sites located at Isiagu, Ebonyi State”, Ovidius University Annals of Chemistry 29 (2018) 8. https://doi.org/10.2478/auoc-2018-0002.

[20] R. E. Antigha, E. O. Moses & E. C. Ukpong, “Assessment of heavy metals content in soils and plants around waste dumpsites in uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State”, The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES) 2 (2013) 75. https://theijes.com/papers/v2-i7/Part.2/H0272075086.pdf.

[21] G. A. Ebong, M. M. Akpan & V. N. Mkepenie, “Heavy metal contents of municipal and rural dumpsites soil and rate of accumulation by carica papaya and talinumtriangulare in Uyo, Nigeria”, E-Journal of Chemistry 5 (2008) 281-290. https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/854103.

[22] E. O. Echeweozo, K. K. Agwu, J. C. Ogada & P. O. Ike, “Survey of natural radioactivity of soil and rock samples and their radiological implications to human health in ugwuele quarry mining site, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria”, Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 28 (2024) 581. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i2.31.

[23] E. B. Faweya & A. I. Babalola, “Radiological safety assessment and occurrence of heavy metals in soil from designated waste dumpsites used for building and composting in Southwestern Nigeria”, Arabian Journal of Science and Technology 35 (2010) 219e225. https://datacatalog.ihsn.org/citations/?keywords=EB%20Faweya&field=authors.

[24] H. U. Emelue, B. C. Eke, P. Oghome & B. C. Ejiogu, “Evaluation of radiation emission from refuse dump sites in Owerri, Nigeria”, IOSR Journal of Applied Physics 4 (2013) 1. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jap/papers/Vol4-issue6/A0460105.pdf.

[25] O. O. Oladapo, E. A. Oni, A. A. Olawoyin, O. Akerele & S. A. Tijani, “Assessment of natural radionuclides level in wasteland soils around olusosun dumpsite, Lagos, Nigeria”, IOSR Journal of Applied Physics 2 (2012) 38. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jap/papers/Vol2-issue3/F0233843.pdf.

[26] V. Kannan, M. P. Rajan, M. A. Lyengar, &R. Ramesh, “Distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in soil and beach sand samples of Kalpakkam (India)”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes 57 (2002) 109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-8043(01)00262-7.

[27] D. A. E. Darwish, K. T. M. Abul-Nasr & A. M. El Khayatt, “The assessment of natural radioactivity and its associated radiological hazards and dose parameters in granite samples from South Sinai, Egypt”, Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences 8 (2015) 1725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2014.10.003.

[28] S. Sivakumar, A. Chandrasekaran, R. Ravisankar, S. M. Ravikumar, J. P. P Jebakumar, A. Solgi, A. Esmaili-Sari, Riyahi-Bakhtiari & M Hadipour, “Soil contamination of metals in the three industrial estates, Arak, Iran”, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 88 (2012) 634. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0553-7.

[29] M. Colak, “Heavy metal concentration in sultanacultivation soils and sultana raisins from Manisa (Turkey)”, Environmental Earth Sciences 67 (2012) 695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1511-0.

[30] E. O. Echeweozo, “Evaluation of activity concentration of 40k, 226ra and 232th and radiological hazards in commercial wall paints used in Nigeria”, Polytechnica 5 (2022) 13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41050-022-00037-1.

[31] N. Agca & E. Ozdel, “Assessment of spatial distribution and possible sources of heavy metals in the soils of Sariseki-Dortyol District in Hatay Province (Turkey)”, Environmental Earth Sciences 71 (2014) 1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2507-8.

[32] A. Pelfrene, F. Douay, A. Richard, H. Roussel & B. Girondelot, “Assessment of potential health risk for inhabitants living near a former lead smelter. part 2: site specific human health risk assessment of Cd and Pb Contamination in Kitchen Gardens”, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 185 (2013) 2999. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2767-x.

[33] L. Hakanson, “An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control: a 13 sedimentological approach”, Water Research 14 (1980) 975. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(80)90143-8.

[34] D. Aja, C. C. Okolo, N. J. Nwite & C. Njoku, “Environmental risk assessment in selected dumpsites in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi state, southeastern Nigeria”, Environmental Challenges 4 (2021) 10014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100143.

[35] G. M`‘uller, “Index of geoaccumulation in sediments of the Rhine River”, Geojournal 2 (1969) 108. https://www.scirp.org/reference/ReferencesPapers?ReferenceID=1803049.

[36] S. Muhammad, M. T. Shah & S. Khan, “Health risk assessment of heavy metals and their source apportionment in drinking water of kohistan region, North Pakistan”, Microchemical Journal 98 (2011) 334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2011.03.003.

[37] H. Ezeh & O. Anike, “The preliminary assessment of the pollution status of streams and artificial lakes created by mining in the mining district of enyigba, south eastern nigeria, and their consequences”, Global Journal of Environmental Sciences 8 (2010) 41. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjes.v8i1.50823.

[38] M. M. Montenegro, A. J. Gandolfi & M. E. SantanaAlcantar, “Metals´ in residential soils and cumulative risk assessment in yaqui and mayo agricultural valleys, Northern Mexico”, Science of the Total Environment 433 (2012) 472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.083.

[39] USEPA, “Risk assessment guidance for superfund volume i: human health evaluation manual”, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington D. C., USA, 1989, pp. 1–373. https://rais.ornl.gov/documents/RAGSD_EPA540R97033.pdf.

[40] USEPA, “Soil Screening Guidance: technical background document”, Washington, D. C, USA, 1996, pp. 1–447. https://archive.epa.gov/region9/superfund/web/pdf/ssg_nonrad_technical-2.pdf.

[41] USEPA, “Supplemental guidance for developing soil screening levels for superfund sites”, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington, D. C., USA, 2002, pp. 4–24. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2634578.

[42] USEPA, “Region 9, Regional Screening Levels Tables”, Washington, D. C., USA, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/risk/regional-screening-levels-rsls-generic-tables.

[43] M. Qasemi, M. Afsharnia, A. Zarei, A. Farhang & M. Allahdadi, “Noncarcinogenic risk assessment to human health due to intake of fluoride in the groundwater in rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan, Iran: A Case Study”, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal 60 (2018) 1222. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1461553.

[44] M. S. Sultana, S. Rana, S. Yamazaki, T. Aono & S. Yoshida, “Health risk assessment for carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic heavy metal exposures from vegetables and fruits of Bangladesh”, Cogent Environmental Science 3 (2017) 1291107. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311843.2017.1291107.

[45] USEPA IRIS, “US Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System”, Environmental Protection Agency Region I, Washington D. C., 2011, pp. 1–44. https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/srp/1/Resources/arzuaga_iris_20091019.pdf.

[46] C. Kamunda & M. Madhuku, “Health risk assessment of heavy metals in soils from witwatersrand gold mining basin, South Africa”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13 (2016) 663. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070663.

[47] G. Tepanosyan, N. Maghakyan, L. Sahakyan & A. Saghatelyan, “Heavy metals pollution levels and children’s health risk assessment of Yerevan kindergartens soils”, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 142 (2017) 257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.037.

[48] W. Ahmad, R. D. Alharthy, M. Zubair, M. Ahmed, A. Hameed & S. Rafique, “Toxic and heavy metals contamination assessment in soil and water to evaluate human health risk”, Scientific Reports 11 (2021) 17006. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94616-4.

[49] USEPA, “Guidelines for carcinogenic risk assessment”, Risk Assessment Forum, Washington, D. C., 2005, pp. 1–166. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2013-09/documents/cancer_guidelines_final_3-25-05.pdf.

[50] USEPA, “Risk assessment guidance for superfund, supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment, final”, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Management, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Washington D. C., 2004, pp. 156–160. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/part_e_impl_2004_final_supp.pdf.

[51] A. K. Krishna & P. K. Govil, “Soil contamination due to heavy metals from an industrial area of Surat, Gujarat, Western India”, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 124 (2007) 263.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9224-7.

[52] M. Radomirovic, Z. Cirovic, D. Maksin, T. Baki´ c, J. Luki´ c, S. Stankovi´ c´ & A. Onjia, “ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the soil at a former painting industry facility”, Frontiers in Environmental Science 8 (2020) 560415. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.56041.

[53] M. U. Khandaker, O. B. Uwatse, B. B. Khairi, M. R. I. Faruque & D. A. Bradley, “Terrestrial radionuclides in surface (dam) water and concomitant dose in metropolitan kuala lumpur”, Radiation Protection Dosimetry 185 (2019) 343. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncz018.

[54] G. Zhang, J. Bai, Q. Zhao, Q. Lu, J. Jia & X. Wen, “Heavy metals in wetland soils along a wetland-forming chronosequence in the yellow river delta of china: levels, sources and toxic risks”, Ecological Indicators 69 (2016) 331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.04.042.

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

Section

Earth Sciences
Copyright & Licensing

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

Similar Articles

71-80 of 104

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.