REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) – Volume Two Number Two

Abstract

This study looked into the potential hazards of heavy metals to residents near the Sagamu cement factory. Three means of absorption, which are: Inhalation, dermal, and ingestion absorption pathways of heavy metals into the human system were examined with the aid of a risk assessment model. FTIR and AAS of the sample reveal the composition of soil minerals and the level of heavy metals in the soil samples, respectively. Non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) results for dermal and oral ingestion for the Cd, Cr and Pb are less than a unit, which implies that there is no obvious risk to the residents around the cement factory. However, the non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) result for inhalation pathway of these heavy metals is greater than one and this indicates a serious potential adverse effect on residents around the cement factory. The carcinogenic risk for the concerned heavy metals exceeds the regulatory cancer risk level, implying that adverse health effects on children and adults who live near the cement factory are unavoidable. It is therefore recommended that the government should enforce the international environmental regulatory pollution law on this and other cement factories and offer environmental remediation for the surrounding soil in order to sustain and develop a functional natural environment for the future generation.  Another settlement could also be provided for the residents to resettle them.

Keywords: potential, residents, absorption pathways, natural environment