Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination of Soil in E-Waste Dumpsite in Atan, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental problem tends to be growing globally especially in developing countries due to the advancement in technology via indiscriminate disposal of electronic wastes, this has continued to pose serious threat to human health. The present study aimed at determining the level of heavy metals in e-waste dumpsite and evaluates the ecological and human health risk of soil contaminated with heavy metals in Atan e-waste dumpsite. The results of the analysis revealed that the concentrations of Cd ranged from 64.20 to 207.99 mg/kg, Cr; 414.83 to 470.47 mg/kg, Pb; 1036.89 to7362.36 mg/kg, Cu; 2963.8 to 3993.78 mg/kg, As from 149.12 to 250.03 mg/kg, and Zn; 21034.74 to 25119.61 mg/kg. The mean concentrations occurred in the order of; Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > As > Cd. Zn had the highest concentration of 2098.45 mg/kg while Cd had the lowest concentration, 64.20 mg/kg. The values of all the metals determined in the soil were higher than the control and the tolerable limits recommended by World Health Organization. The ecological risk index of all the metals in the e-wastes soil indicated a high risk. Hence, heavy metals in soil around e-wastes dumpsite in Atan, Ogun State present serious health risk whilst urgent measures are required.