Human and ecological risk assessments of potentially toxic elements in sediments around a pharmaceutical industry Hussein K. Okoro, Muyiwa M. Orosun, Salman A. Umar, Khursheed Muzammil, Clement O. Ogunkunle, Kingsley O. Iwuozor, Ebuka Chizitere Emenike, Saiful Islam, Jane C. Ngila, Caliphs Zvinowanda Heliyon, 2024 Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in sediment can be highly hazardous to the environment and public health. This study aimed to assess the human and ecological risks of PTEs in sediments around a pharmaceutical industry in Ilorin, Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters and the concentrations of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni) were analyzed in sediment samples collected from seven locations in the wet and dry seasons. Standard two-dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) and risk assessments were also conducted. The concentrations of Pb, Co, Ni, Cr, Cd, and As in the sediments ranged from 0.001 to 0.031 mg/kg, 0-0.005 mg/kg, 0.005-0.012 mg/kg, 0.001-0.014 mg/kg, 0.005-0.024 mg/kg, and 0.001-0.012 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of the total PTEs content were found in decreasing order of concentration: Pb > Cd > Ni > Cr > As > Co. PCA showed that some of the PTEs were highly concentrated in samples obtained at other locations as well as at the discharge point. The Hazard Index was mostly <1 across locations, indicating little to no probable non-cancerous effect. However, the incremental lifetime cancer risk for arsenic and nickel was high and required attention. The ecological risk assessment showed that lead and arsenic were the major PTEs pollutants in all locations. The study identifies PTEs profiles in sediments and emphasises the necessity of continual monitoring and action to stop long-term negative impacts on the local environment and public health.
Potentially toxic metals in irrigation water, soil, and vegetables and their health risks using Monte Carlo models Muyiwa Michael Orosun, Samuel Nwabachili, Reem F. Alshehri, Maxwell Omeje, Ibtehaj F. Alshdoukhi, Hussein K. Okoro, Clement O. Ogunkunle, Hitler Louis, Fakoya A. Abdulhamid, Stephen Erhonmonsele Osahon, Adamu Usman Mohammed, Emmanuel Olusegun Ehinlafa, Sodiq Omotayo Yunus, Oluwatobi Ife-Adediran Scientific Reports, 2023 Food safety has become a serious global concern because of the accumulation of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in crops cultivated on contaminated agricultural soils. Amongst these toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) receive worldwide attention because of their ability to cause deleterious health effects. Thus, an assessment of these toxic metals in the soils, irrigation waters, and the most widely consumed vegetables in Nigeria; Spinach (Amaranthushybridus), and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mean concentration (measured in mg kg−1) of the PTMs in the soils was in the sequence Cr (81.77) > Pb(19.91) > As(13.23) > Cd(3.25), exceeding the WHO recommended values in all cases. This contamination was corroborated by the pollution evaluation indices. The concentrations (measured in mg l−1) of the PTMs in the irrigation water followed a similar pattern i.e. Cr(1.87) > Pb(1.65) > As(0.85) > Cd(0.20). All the PTMs being studied, were found in the vegetables with Cr (5.37 and 5.88) having the highest concentration, followed by Pb (3.57 and 4.33), and As (1.09 and 1.67), while Cd (0.48 and 1.04) had the lowest concentration (all measured in mg kg−1) for cabbage and spinach, respectively. The concentration of the toxic metals was higher in spinach than in cabbage, which may be due to the redistribution of the greater proportion of the metals above the ground tissue, caused by the bioavailability of metals in the aqueous phase. Expectedly, the hazard index (HI),and carcinogenic risk values of spinach were higher than that of cabbage. This implies that spinach poses potentially higher health risks. Similarly, the Monte Carlo simulation results reveal that the 5th percentile, 95th percentile, and 50th percentile of the cumulative probability of cancer risks due to the consumption of these vegetables exceeds the acceptable range of 1.00E−6 and 1.00E−4. Thus, the probable risk of a cancerous effect is high, and necessary remedial actions are recommended.
Characterization and Remediation Potential of Sorghum and Rice Straw-Derived Biochars on Incubated Spent-Oil Contaminated Soil Olamide Omolafe Ogunremi, Clement Oluseye Ogunkunle, Paul Ojo Fatoba Scientific African, 2023 The volume and spread of spent lubricants that are indiscriminately let into the environment in developing countries are prohibitive for soil health and productivity, adversely altering soil structure, permeability and microbiota. These result to loss of arable lands and low vegetation cover, thereby contributing significantly to food insecurity and global warming. Biochars possess sustainable soil amendment potentials that depend on the choice of feedstocks. This study used suitable analytical techniques to characterize biochars derived from sorghum and rice straw after slow pyrolysis at 550°C for three hours and investigated their effects on the physicochemical properties of spent oil-contaminated soil in an incubation experiment. Both sorghum biochar (SB) and rice biochar (RB) have pH in the alkaline range (˃ 8.0), similar O/C ratio (0.24), and significant proportions of carbon (53.87–57.57%). Scanning electron microscopy of SB and RB surfaces revealed presence of porous structures. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy revealed presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, halogens, and sulphur on the surfaces of SB and RB which are responsible for heavy metal adsorption. Compared with control, increasing biochar amendment at 1, 2 and 3% significantly increased the porosity, water holding capacity and pH of the soil. Besides, soil Fe increased while the extractable content of heavy metals decreased. From this study, the properties of SB and RB and corresponding application in spent oil-contaminated soil indicate their suitability for soil enrichment and amendment.
Potentially Toxic Elements in Pharmaceutical Industrial Effluents: A Review on Risk Assessment, Treatment, and Management for Human Health Hussein K. Okoro, Muyiwa M. Orosun, Faith A. Oriade, Tawakalit M. Momoh-Salami, Clement O. Ogunkunle, Adewale G. Adeniyi, Caliphs Zvinowanda, Jane C. Ngila Sustainability Switzerland, 2023 Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are metallic chemicals with densities that are higher than that of water. Water pollution by PTEs due to the discharge of untreated pharmaceutical industrial effluents is a risk to human health and ecological integrity. The present review paper provides an overview of the threats to human health due to water contamination by PTEs such as lead, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic originating from pharmaceutical industrial wastewater. This review reveals the associated advantages and shortcomings of the outmoded and the modern methods and the challenges involved in addressing the shortcomings. Additionally, due to the increasing amount of uncontrollable pharmaceutical effluents entering the ecosystem, this paper reviewed the management approach supported by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies revealed that PTEs find their way into human bodies through different pathways, which include drinking water, edibles, and dermal vulnerability at intervals. This paper focuses on how pharmaceutical effluents can be handled and how regulations and strategies can be reinforced step by step. To preserve public health and the environment, a comprehensive study on the environmental evaluation of carcinogenic substances, particularly toxic elements and metalloids, should be supported and advocated. To protect living organisms and the welfare of consumers, efforts should be made to reduce the presence of potentially hazardous elements on land and water.
Levels and mobility of CU, PB and CD in citrus orchards of two contrasting ages in north-central region of Nigeria Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 2020
Interaction of nanoparticles with soil Clement Oluseye Ogunkunle, Stephen Oyedeji, Hussein Kehinde Okoro, Vincent Adimula Nanomaterials for Soil Remediation, 2020
Thuja occidentalis and Duranta repens as indicators of urban air pollution in industrialized areas of southwest Nigeria Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 2019
Spatial distribution of some toxic metals in topsoil and bioaccumulation in wild flora around a metal scrap factory: A case of southwestern Nigeria Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 2017
Water hyacinth and duckweed as indicator of heavy metal pollution in River Asa Journal of Industrial Pollution Control, 2013
Pollution loads and the ecological risk assessment of soil heavy metals around a mega cement factory in southwest Nigeria Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2013
