Determination of some potentially toxic elements in indoor dust particles from selected medical laboratories in Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Indoor dust particles act as a medium for toxic elements accumulation. The risk of exposure to metal contaminated dust particles is of great concern. In this research, some potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in indoor dust samples from selected laboratories in Kano metropolis were examined. The samples were collected from different locations (doors, windows, reagent-shelves, fans, and air conditioners filters) to produce a composite representative sample. The samples were analyzed for Si, Co, Mn, As, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn using a Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES). Results obtained revealed that the levels of these elements determined in the dust samples were significantly different at (P<0.001). The levels of the elements Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Cu, Ni, Co and Mn in the various samples analyzed were all below the permissible limit established by World Health Organization (WHO). However, all the laboratories had high concentration of Si. This study may provide baseline data for monitoring and/or controlling air pollution in the laboratory premises.