Trace elements in sawdust particles in the vicinity of sawmill in Sapele, Nigeria

This study report the results of determination of concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium, barium, arsenic and mercury in sawdust particles collected in the vicinity of wood sawmill in Sapele and its environs. The mean levels of the elements observed ranged from 40-250 mg kg(-1) for Pb; 0.50 mg kg(-1) for Cd; 1.46-160.50 mg kg(-1) for Cr; 1.50-94.0 mg kg(-1) for Ba; 32.0-84.0 mg kg(-1) for As and 0.50-40 mg kg(-1) for Hg. The levels of these trace elements observed in the sawdust particles exceeded permissible occupational exposure limits. Sawdust particles constitute serious health risk to human and the environment in general.