Determination of Pb in Ibadan Metropolis —An Indication of Environmental Pollution
Johnson Dele Ogunkolade
Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Ilesa, Nigeria
O. Owolabi
Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
K. J. Akinluwade *
Department of Engineering, Prototype Engineering Development Institute, Ilesa, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI), Nigeria and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
A. M. Adegoke
Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Ilesa, Nigeria
D. A. Isadare
Department of Engineering, Prototype Engineering Development Institute, Ilesa, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI), Nigeria
A. R. Adetunji
Department of Engineering, Prototype Engineering Development Institute, Ilesa, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, (NASENI), Nigeria and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study determined the Pb pollution levels of lead (Pb) in Ibadan. Until 1970, Ibadan was the largest city in Sub-Saharan Africa and the current largest city in West Africa. Dust samples were randomly collected from selected sites, cleaned, air-dried and sieved. Pb level was determined in the samples by partial metal extraction. The average level of Pb in the house-hold dust of houses around heavy traffic areas was the highest followed by industrial area and then housing estate. It was observed that the Pb content decreased with increase in house distance from industrial area; there was rapid decrease in the level of Pb with distance. The result suggested that residential houses should be situated far away from industrial and heavy traffic areas and there should be authorized guidelines for placing industrial estates and major roads.
Keywords: Household dust, lead, partial metal extraction, Ibadan, temperature