Levels of As, Pb, Cd and Fe in Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in Ambient Air of Artisan Workshops in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) collected from three different artisans’ workshops was analyzed for As, Cd, Pb and Fe by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The range of SPM concentrations for the three workshops was 583-20,166Bg/m3. The highest concentrations of these elements were observed in Motor Spray Painting (MSP),8528±389Bg/m3 and Welding and Panelbeating (WDP) workshops, 11086.8±10644Bg/m3. The calculated enrichment factor revealed Cd to be highly enriched in Battery Maintenance and Charging (BMC) and MSP. The enrichment factor of all the elements suggests that there was a significant contribution from anthropogenic sources. These values of SPM obtained violate both FEPA,1991 and WHO,1994 standards.

Keywords: suspended particulate matter, metals, workshops, city, Nigeria.