Childhood Risk Estimation of Lead Metal Poisoining from Edible Land Snail at Abandoned Battery Factory Environment

Abstract

The childhood lead (Pb) poisoning risk from consumption and risk model data of snail meat from Pb metal contaminated sites of entrance (control), storage dump, dried effluent and waste dump at an abandoned battery factory, in Niger Delta, Nigeria were estimated. Results implicated snail meat from waste dump site with hazard quotient of 2.40 and childhood exposure of 0.12mg/kg/day Pb associated with non carcinogenic adverse effects on health. Control site was risk free. Childhood exposure and snail meat Pb accumulation was dependent on Pb concentration being significantly higher at non-control sites. This study should fast track industrial environmental audits of existing (including abandoned) industrial projects and epidemiological studies in communities around contaminated/polluted sites.