Abstract
The detrimental effect of the activities in informal auto-mobile mechanic workshops is a major public health concern; and its impact on groundwater contamination cannot be ignored. We assessed the effect of activities of mechanics in auto-mobile workshops on the quality of groundwater sources. Water samples were collected from hand dug wells situated within 0 to 50 metres in twenty auto-mobile workshops randomly selected across three zones. A residential area was selected as the control site. Analysis of water for some physico-chemical parameters (pH, TDS, Electrical Conductivity, Alkalinity, Oil and Grease) and the heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb) was done using standard methods. Sanitary inspection was also carried out at each well location. Results were compared with the control and regulatory standards Nigerian Industrial Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NISDQW) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality. Results revealed that mean values of pH, TDS and Electrical conductivity for the three zones, Alphonso, Temidire, and Ojoo were within WHO limits. The concentrations of Cu, Cd Cr and Pb in the water samples ranged from 0.02 - 6.12 mg/l, 0.1 - 2.19 mg/l, 0.2 - 0.79 mg/l and 0.02 - 35.8 mg/l across the three zones respectively. Mean concentrations of Cu (mg/l) were significantly higher in Alphonso (2.5 ± 2.06) than in other zones. Mean concentration of Cr (mg/l) was 0.34 ± 0.28, 0.37 ± 0.13 and 0.31 ± 0.3 for Alphonso, Temidire and Ojoo respectively. Cadmium was also present in all the zones but Pb was only detected in Alphonso. The mean concentrations for heavy metals were significantly higher when compared with the permissible limits for both NISDQW and WHO. The degree of groundwater contamination indicates poor water quality in the study area, and this requires regular monitoring. Enforcement of environmental regulations guiding activities of auto-mechanics should be done so that they can embrace environmentally friendly practices to reduce pollution.
Highlights
In Nigeria, the aftermaths of the devaluation of the currency led to importation of used vehicles, known as “Tokunbo”
This has been at a cost to the environment as they were found to pollute the air with emissions of incomplete combustion of the old engines such as Carbon oxides (COx), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Sulphur oxides (SOx), etc. [1]
The workshops in the study area have been in operation for 5 - 18 years of existence and they had a range of activities which include auto servicing and maintenance, battery charging and repair, panel beating, welding, spraying, electrical repair and painting
Summary
In Nigeria, the aftermaths of the devaluation of the currency led to importation of used vehicles, known as “Tokunbo”. The number of vehicles imported into the country increased annually as it became cheaper to buy the used vehicles. This has been at a cost to the environment as they were found to pollute the air with emissions of incomplete combustion of the old engines such as Carbon oxides (COx), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Sulphur oxides (SOx), etc. The rapid importation and influx of “fairly used” vehicles have caused a proliferation of many auto-mobile mechanic workshops all over the country. Activities carried out in the auto-mobile workshops include: general servicing (engine and air condition servicing)-cleaning and washing engine parts, welding, panel beating, painting and body spraying, electrical repair, vulcanizing and battery charging [3]
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