Elemental Analysis, Pollution Indexing and human health implications of dusts trapped in air conditioner filters in a University environment

Pollution caused by heavy metals from various anthropogenic sources has become a global concern. This research assessed the concentration and human toxicological implication of potentially toxic element (PTE). Fugitive dusts isolated from air condition filters were collected from different locations within Babcock University, Ilisan Remo Campus, Ogun State, South Western Nigeria. A total of ten (10) composite samples were acid digested and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The PTE concentration in the dust samples were below the soil guideline values for United Kingdom, Canada and Netherlands with exception to Zn. The PTE analyzed showed the general distribution pattern of Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Co > Cr > Cd. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index calculations revealed Cd and Zn were severely enriched in the dust samples. Human health risk assessment study indicated that ingestion was the major pathway for PTE exposure followed by dermal contact and inhalation in that order. Generally, the non-cancer contribution pattern for the PTE’s hazard index was in the following order: Fe > Co > Cd >Mn> Zn >Pb> Cr > Cu. Fe exceeded the acceptable limit of 1 for non-cancer effects in both children and adult. This suggests that there is a possible susceptibility to Fe toxicity from the dusts. The range for all of all metals was within the acceptable limit of 1 × 10-6 to 1×10-4 and this indicates no probable cancer effects