Evaluation of Heavy Metal Accumulation at Ebonyi Waste Recycling Dumpsite and Health Implications to Surrounding Population

This study evaluated heavy metal accumulation and contamination at the Ebonyi State solid waste recycling dumpsite and the impact to surrounding population. Soil samples obtained from different locations in the dumpsites, surrounding farms and control sites were assessed for toxic heavy metal concentration and compared with values from the control site. The Average heavy metals concentration in soil samples were evaluated with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The heavy metal concentration analysis revealed that average heavy metal concentration of the dumpsites and surrounding farmland for Cr, Cd, Co Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Fe, and Hg were found to be 0.035, 0.21, 0.53, 2.265, 0.44, 0.675, 0.78, 0.035, 3.41 and 0.03 mg/kg respectively. The concentration of heavy metals in studied samples showed that Pb > Fe > Cu > Zn > Co > Ni > Cd > Cr > Hg > As. Soil contamination evaluation analysis was based on geo-accumulation index (I_geo), Potential ecological risk coefficient (RI), Chronic daily take (CDI), Total carcinogenic risk index (TCRI), Total hazard quotient (THQ) and pollution load index (PLI). The average values of I_geo, CDI, TCRI, THQ and PLI for dumpsites and surrounding farms were found to be 2.01, 207.19, 6.1 × 10^–2, 2.66, 0.95 and 1.33 respectively. Generally, high concentrations of Pb and Fe were observed at the dumpsites and surrounding farmlands. Comparing mean values of heavy metal contamination at the dumpsite and the farmland with the control site, Ebonyi state solid waste management and recycling dumpsite and the surrounding farmland do not pose any immediate carcinogenic risk to workers and residents in the surrounding population. However, there is need for constant monitoring of heavy metal contamination of the dumpsite and surrounding farmlands.