Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa

Potential health risks associated with trace metal pollution have necessitated the importance of monitoring their levels in the environment. The present study investigated the concentrations and compositions of trace metals in dust samples collected from classrooms and playing ground from the select...

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Main Authors: J. O. Olowoyo, L. L. Mugivhisa, Z. G. Magoloi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Applied and Environmental Soil Science
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/5829657
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author J. O. Olowoyo
L. L. Mugivhisa
Z. G. Magoloi
author_facet J. O. Olowoyo
L. L. Mugivhisa
Z. G. Magoloi
author_sort J. O. Olowoyo
collection DOAJ
description Potential health risks associated with trace metal pollution have necessitated the importance of monitoring their levels in the environment. The present study investigated the concentrations and compositions of trace metals in dust samples collected from classrooms and playing ground from the selected high schools In Pretoria. Schools were selected from Pretoria based on factors such as proximity to high traffic ways, industrial areas, and residential areas. Thirty-two dust samples were collected from inside and outside the classrooms, where learners often stay during recess period. The dust samples were analysed for trace metal concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The composition of the elements showed that the concentrations of Zn were more than all other elements except from one of the schools. There were significant differences in the concentrations of trace metals from the schools (p<0.05). Regular cleaning, proximity to busy road, and well maintained gardens seem to have positive effects on the concentrations of trace metals recorded from the classrooms dust. The result further revealed a positive correlation for elements such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Sb, indicating that the dust might have a common source.
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spelling doaj-art-82f2dd958a9144378a52715c88ee93f62025-02-03T05:54:07ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752016-01-01201610.1155/2016/58296575829657Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South AfricaJ. O. Olowoyo0L. L. Mugivhisa1Z. G. Magoloi2Department of Biology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 139, Medunsa, Pretoria 0204, South AfricaDepartment of Biology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 139, Medunsa, Pretoria 0204, South AfricaDepartment of Biology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 139, Medunsa, Pretoria 0204, South AfricaPotential health risks associated with trace metal pollution have necessitated the importance of monitoring their levels in the environment. The present study investigated the concentrations and compositions of trace metals in dust samples collected from classrooms and playing ground from the selected high schools In Pretoria. Schools were selected from Pretoria based on factors such as proximity to high traffic ways, industrial areas, and residential areas. Thirty-two dust samples were collected from inside and outside the classrooms, where learners often stay during recess period. The dust samples were analysed for trace metal concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The composition of the elements showed that the concentrations of Zn were more than all other elements except from one of the schools. There were significant differences in the concentrations of trace metals from the schools (p<0.05). Regular cleaning, proximity to busy road, and well maintained gardens seem to have positive effects on the concentrations of trace metals recorded from the classrooms dust. The result further revealed a positive correlation for elements such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Sb, indicating that the dust might have a common source.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/5829657
spellingShingle J. O. Olowoyo
L. L. Mugivhisa
Z. G. Magoloi
Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa
Applied and Environmental Soil Science
title Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa
title_full Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa
title_fullStr Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa
title_short Composition of Trace Metals in Dust Samples Collected from Selected High Schools in Pretoria, South Africa
title_sort composition of trace metals in dust samples collected from selected high schools in pretoria south africa
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/5829657
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