Analysis and Estimated Daily Dose Intake of Toxic Metals in Commonly Used Building Materials and Its Health Impacts on the Society in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Kayode I. Ogungbemi, Margret. B. Adedokun, Zaccheaus A. Ibitoye, Olusola. O. Oyebola, Joshua O. Ojo and Latifat R. Owoade

Toxic metals are persistent in our environment, and building materials are not left over from the contaminations of these metals. These toxic metals posed a great  threat to human health. Some of these heavy metals such as lead have been identified as a potential human carcinogen, causing lung cancer. This study is on commonly used building materials and identifications of selected toxic metals present therein and their health implications to our society. The most commonly used building materials are   asbestos, red bricks, pasters of paris (POP) and paints from major manufacturers. The samples of these building materials were collected from point of sales and toxic metals such as: Pb, Zn, Cu and Co were identified and quantified. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) model S4 series, Model (GBC 906) (USA) for the analysis of the samples. The Estimated Daily Dose Intake (EDDI) of the detected toxic metals was computed. EDDI from POP due to Pb, Cu and Zn are 1.390x10^-5, 1.812 x10^-6 and 1.482 x10^-5 mg/Kg/day respectively. For the paints, EDDI from paints are for Pb, Cu and Co are 9.900 x10^-5, -1.156 x10^-5 and 3.990 x10^-5 mg/kg/day respectively. However; in red bricks the EDDI obtained are Pb, Cu and Zn are 1.844 x10^-5, 8.711 x10^-6, and 3.159 x10^-5 mg/kg/day respectively.  The EDDI from the Asbestos due to Cu was 1.578 x10^-6 and 4.061 x10^-5 mg/kg/day. EDDI in POP are as follows Pb, Cu and Zn, 1.396 x10^-5, 2.990 x10^-5 and 9.519 x10^-6 mg/kg/day respectively. The ICRP has a set minimum permissible daily dose for each of the heavy metals however, the results so obtained in this study show that the Pb EDDI in Paints is 1.567 x10^-4 mg/kg/day.