Environmental exposure and health risk assessment of particulate-associated heavy metals from medical waste incineration

Authors

  • O. O. Oketayo
    Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
  • E. E. Osara
    Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
  • A. E. Odo
    Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
  • O. P. Idowu
    Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
  • O. J. Oluwadare
    Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
  • M. M. Orosun
    Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan

Keywords:

Particulate-associated heavy metals, Medical waste incineration, Environmental exposure, FAAS

Abstract

Incineration, a widely adopted waste-management strategy, poses significant health and environmental risks because of the continuous emission of heavy metals (HMs). In this study, the levels of ten HMs (Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, As, Ni, Co, Pb, and Hg) were determined in particulate matter around a hospital incineration facility using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). HM concentrations ranged from 0.059 to 0.330 mg kg-1 in the descending order Zn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Cd > As > Ni > Co > Pb > Hg. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences between the exposed sites and the control baseline (p < 0.05). The mean levels of Ni, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Cr (0.120, 0.1216, 0.1440, 0.0592, 0.0704, and 0.2192 mg kg-1, respectively) exceeded World Health Organization limits, indicating potential ecological and public health risks. Strong positive correlations (p < 0.01) were obtained between specific metal pairs (As--Pb: r = 0.864; Hg--Cd: r = 0.517; Ni--Pb: r = 0.670; Pb--Cr: r = 0.983), suggesting common emission sources and synergistic environmental effects. Several other metals also exhibited strong positive correlations, including Cr--Co, Cr--Pb, Cd--Ni, As--Ni, Cu--Co, and Pb--Co (r > 0.70). These associations reiterate multiple common exposure pathways among workers occupationally exposed to the hospital incinerator. These findings highlight the need for enhanced regulatory frameworks and mitigation strategies to address pollution, safeguard public health, and promote sustainable waste management in this environment.

Dimensions

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Published

2026-06-10

How to Cite

Environmental exposure and health risk assessment of particulate-associated heavy metals from medical waste incineration. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(2), 439. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.2.439

Issue

Volume 5, Issue 2, August 2026

Section

PHYSICS SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 O. O. Oketayo, E. E. Osara, A. E. Odo, O. P. Idowu, O. J. Oluwadare, M. M. Orosun

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Environmental exposure and health risk assessment of particulate-associated heavy metals from medical waste incineration. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(2), 439. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.2.439

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