Articles

Silver nanoparticles (Ag<SUP>+</SUP>NPs) contamination in the environment is a serious concern. This study investigated selected heavy metal (Ag<SUP>+</SUP>, Cd<SUP>2+,</SUP> Cr<SUP>2+</SUP> and Pb<SUP>2+</SUP>) concentrations at different sampling points to assess the risk to human health (infants, children, and adults). To do this, an enclosed area (laboratory) of 12.6 m X 8.5 m (107.1 m<SUP>2</SUP>) was clearly marked at different coded distances of S1, S2, S3, and S4 representing 2, 4, 6, and 8 m, while unpolluted atmosphere at 50 m away without Ag<SUP>+</SUP>NPs served as the control (S5). The silver fireworks were allowed to burn for an approximate 00h03m30s at each sampling points using a high-volume air sampler mounted at the Environmental Engineering Departmental Laboratory, Rivers State University, with windows and doors closed to simulate indoor conditions. Samples were digested using a mixture of analytical-grade nitric acid, analytical-grade hydrochloric acid and analyzed to evaluate the levels of heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Ag<SUP>+</SUP> result at S1 shows 30,000 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>, S2 was 29,000 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>, while S3 was 28000 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP> and then S4 was 13,000 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>. These results exceeded the permissible values of the United States National Ambient Air Concentration for rural, urban and industrial areas (0.0005, 0.004 and 0.6 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>, respectively). The result for the control (S5) (0.037 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>) was within the maximum allowable value. Results from other heavy metals such as Cd were 1000, 743, 401, 153, 0.001 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>, Cr was 5000, 4000, 3729, 2960, 0.002 µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>, Pb was 0.048, 0.041, 0.035, 0.034 and 0.01, µg/cm<SUP>3</SUP>, respectively. However, higher values of Ag<SUP>+</SUP>, Cd, and Cr indicated a higher propensity for the metals to be toxic (bioavailable). In addition, the assessment of the potential health risk posed by these metals proved contaminated and harmful. Visitors recorded high values in exposure concentration<b> (</b>EC) and low values in average daily dose (ADD).

Essentiality of water sustain life, and a satisfactory supply must be readily available to promote health, prolong life expectancy and prevent diseases. This study assesses the sources and quality of drinking water in Piwoyi community of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Thirty-five (35) Boreholes and Two (2) Sachet water were identified sources of drinking water in Piwoyi Community. Six Samples (5 Boreholes and 1Sachet water) were selected at random and analyzed in the laboratory. The Physicochemical parameters examined include electrical conductivity (EC), pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolve oxygen (DO), chloride, total hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, phosphorous, sulphate, sodium, potassium, fluoride, bicarbonate, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite, copper, iron and zinc; and Microbiological parameters include Coliforms, E-coli and Faecal Strep. The results of analysis shows significant concentration of physicochemical and microbiological parameters in the samples of water analyzed according to Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality thereby makes the water unsafe for drinking. Drinking from these sources of water will pose serious health risk to the people of Piwoyi Community. Therefore, the study helps to identify the contaminated locations as well as assist to follow emerging remedial measures toward controlling the contamination source in the community. It also recommends continuous monitoring and enforcement of environmental violations, aggressive sensitization on water sanitation and hygiene; adequate purification of water at domestic level; and government support on potable water supply and establish reasonable management strategies for sustainable water quality protection toward protecting public health.