Assessment of Heavy metals and Metalloid in Water-based Paints in Nigeria

Consumer products such as paints are potentially significant sources of heavy metals and metalloid which are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Paint may represent a significant source of heavy metals and metalloid because of the volume of paint used and the frequency of re-application during the life of a building. Their abundance, presence and use have not been without significant health consequences as they account for significant mortality and morbidity. Thus, this study assesses the levels of heavy metals and metalloid in paints produced by 14 different manufacturers in Nigeria. The levels of heavy metals (dry weight) in all the samples ranged from 1.2-199 mg/kg of Ni, 742-2,910 mg/kg of Fe; 133-1,840 mg/kg of Cu; 21.4-200 mg/kg of Mn and 10.3-220 mg/kg of Zn while the level of the metalloid (As) ranged from 383-1,930 mg/kg. All the samples were above the European Union (EU) permissible limit of 25 mg/kg of As while there are no regulations presently available for Ni, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in paints. There was great variation in the concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in the paint samples. Concentrations of As, Fe and Cu were higher than Mn, Ni and Zn in the paints produced by all the manufacturers. The results showed that paints sold in Nigeria contains substantial amount of heavy metals and metalloid, which can cause human health impacts with increased risk of exposure to the vulnerable groups such as children.