Identification and risk assessment of the components (elements) present in atmospheric dust in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the elemental composition of atmospheric dust collected from both outdoor (roadside) and indoor environments across five distinct geographic areas in Lagos State, Nigeria, to assess environmental contamination and associated health risks. Surface dust was collected using a soft brush and dustpan, followed by acid digestion and analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). A total of 34 elements were quantified, with results indicating significant spatial variation in concentrations. Notably, elevated levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were detected, suggesting contributions from industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and other anthropogenic sources. In contrast, concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) remained within permissible limits, reflecting lower pollution levels in certain areas. Health risk assessments revealed that the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for both adults and children exceeded the U.S. EPA's acceptable thresholds (10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁴), particularly in high-traffic zones. The findings underscore the need for targeted pollution control measures and provide essential data to inform air quality management and public health strategies in Lagos State.