ABSTRACT
The study for the analysis of heavy metals in air in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result of the analysis were as follows: Mercury 0.03235±0.0062, Arsenic 0.0037±0.030, Cadmium 0.004±0, Chromium 0.036±0.00141, Lead 0.0115±0.00071. Comparing the result with WHO standard, it reveals that Arsenic, Chromium were above and Cadmium, Lead, Mercury were below the permissible limit. Hence, activities leading to pollution of the environment should be limited in the environment.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENTS PAGE
Title Page – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – vi
Table of Contents – – – – – – –
CHAPTER ONE
- INTRODUCTION – – – – – 1
- Background of the Study – – – – – 1
- Aim and Objectives – – – – – 4
- Scope and Limitation – – – – – 5
- Definition of terms – – – – – – 5
CHAPTER TWO
- LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – 7
- Air Pollution – – – – – – 7
- Sources of Air Pollution – – – – – 9
- Natural Sources – – – – – – 9
- Anthropogenic Sources (Human – Made) – – 11
- Heavy Metals – – – – – – 12
- Arsenic – – – – – – – 14
- Cadmium – – – – – – – 15
- Chromium – – – – – – – 17
- Lead – – – – – – – – 19
- Mercury – – – – – – – 21
- Mechanism of Toxicity of Heavy Metals – – 22
- Mechanisms of Toxicity of Arsenic – – – 22
- Mechanisms of Toxicity of Cadmium – – – 24
- Mechanisms of Toxicity of Chromium – – – 27
- Mechanisms of Toxicity of Lead – – – 29
- Mechanisms of Toxicity of Mercury – – – 32
CHAPTER THREE
- MATERIALS AND METHOD – – – 34
- Materials – – – – – – – 34
- Method – – – – – – – 35
- Sample Collection/Preparation – – – – 35
- Digestion of the Sample – – – – – 35
CHAPTER FOUR
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION – – – 37
- Results – – – – – – – 37
- Discussion – – – – – – – 38
CHAPTER FIVE
- SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS – – – – 38
- Summary and Conclusion – – – – 41
- Recommendations – – – – – – 42
References
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Pollution of the natural environment by heavy metals is a worldwide problem because these metals are indestructible and most of them have toxic effects on living organisms; while some of these elements are essential for humans, at high levels they can also pose toxicological risk. (Shinggu et al., 2010). About 4 – 8 percent of deaths occurring annually in the world are related to air pollution associated with anthropogenic activities (Lopez et al., 2005).
Environmental sources of Air pollutants could include crustal minerals processing, agricultural activities, sea spray, wind – blown dust, automobiles and other transportation related activities on the road (Melaku et al., 2008). The composition of the air pollutants can be inorganic pollutants originating from anthropogenic activities, heavy metals are a major concern due to their toxic and potential carcinogenic characteristics. In recent times, studies of air pollution especially in the urban environment have forced largely on respirable dust, including seasonal variation and the threat poses to human health (Melaku et al., 2005; Lazor et al.,2012).