Levels of heavy metals in deposited dust and soil from selected primary schools in Dar es Salaam

Authors

Joseph Yoeza Naimani Philip, Chemistry Department, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Eliamini Ismail Mkenga, Chemistry Department, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Othman Chande Othman, Chemistry Department, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Section

Physical Sciences

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the levels of heavy metals, lead, manganese, nickel, copper, chromium and cadmium in standard one and kindergarten classroom dusts and playing ground soils from selected primary schools along Morogoro road highway (Kimara, Mbezi, Kibamba and Kiluvya primary schools) and away from Morogoro road highway (Makabe, Msumi and Mbopo primary schools) as well as in the Dar es Salaam city center (Uhuru, Mzimuni, Dr. Omari Ali Juma, Manzese and Ubungo National House primary schools), Tanzania. The samples were acid digested and the supernatant analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The mean concentrations (mg/kg) range of heavy metals in kindergarten and standard one classroom dust samples were bdl – 3.2 ± 0.2 (Cd), 14.7 ± 0.5 – 30.1 ± 2.2 (Cr), 6701 ± 1201– 277775 ± 32632 (Mn), 5.18 ± 0.59 – 122 ± 145 (Cu), 6.95 ± 1.57 – 30.3 ± 31.1 (Ni) and 17.67 ± 3.56 – 104.9 ± 94.7 (Pb). Similarly, the mean concentrations (mg/kg) range of heavy metals in kindergarten and standard one playing ground soil samples were bdl – 1.86 ± 0.06 (Cd), 5.8 ± 0.8 – 105 ± 124 (Cr), 7176 ± 226 – 191779 ± 82776 (Mn), 1.64 ± 0.01 – 11.51 ± 6.5 (Cu), 1.11 ± 0.2 – 37.5 ± 45.9 (Ni) and 8.9 ± 2.4 – 34.04 ± 1.9 (Pb). The present results, which indicate significantly high levels of heavy metals in school classroom dusts and playing ground soils, signify an important advancement towards shedding light on the alarming threat to school children’s health since classrooms and playing grounds are their immediate environments where they spend significant amount of their early life time.

Recommended Citation

Philip, Joseph Yoeza Naimani; Mkenga, Eliamini Ismail; and Othman, Othman Chande (2018) "Levels of heavy metals in deposited dust and soil from selected primary schools in Dar es Salaam," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 44: Iss. 2, Article 7.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.1757