Physico-chemical characterization of indoor settled dust in Children’s microenvironments in Ikeja and Ota, Nigeria
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CellPress
Abstract
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Indoor dust is a collection of particles identified as a major reservoir for several emerging indoor
chemical pollutants. This study presents indoor dust particles’ morphology and elemental
composition in eight children’s urban and semi-urban microenvironments (A-H) in Nigeria.
Samples were collected using a Tesco vacuum cleaner and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy
coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). The morphology results confirm
the presence of alumino silicates, mineral particles and flakes, fly ash and soot, and soot aggregates
deposited on alumino silicate particles in the sampled microenvironments. These particles
may trigger serious health concerns that directly or indirectly affect the overall well-being of
children. From the EDX analysis, the trend of elements (w/w %) in the dust particles across the
sampled sites was silicon (386) > oxygen (174)> aluminium (114) > carbon (34.5) > iron (28.0)
> calcium (16.7) > magnesium (14.2) > sodium (7.92) > potassium (7.58) > phosphorus (2.22)
> lead (2.04) > manganese (1.17) > titanium (0.21). Lead (Pb), a toxic and carcinogenic heavy
metal, was observed in locations A and B. This is a concern without a safe lead level because of the
neurotoxicity effect on children. As a result, further research on the concentrations, bioavailability,
and health risk assessment of heavy metals in these sampled locations is recommended.
Furthermore, frequent vacuum cleaning, wet moping and adequate ventilation systems will
significantly reduce the accumulation of indoor dust–bound metals.
Keywords
QD Chemistry