Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu; Okoye Nkechi Helen

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

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Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu, Okoye Nkechi Helen

Published in American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry (Volume 5, Issue 2)

Received: 11 June 2021 Accepted: 5 July 2021 Published: 18 August 2021

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Abstract

Pollution is an act of contaminating the environment by harmful or toxic substances that could be of solid, liquid or gaseous materials. Effluents containing heavy metals that are indiscriminately discharged into the environment pollute the ecosystem and pose great risks to the organisms in it. Here, we review effluent discharged from a pharmaceutical industry in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria and analyzed for heavy metal pollution. The twenty heavy metals analyzed were: magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron, chromium, sodium, aluminum, vanadium, potassium, silver, manganese, mercury, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, selenium and arsenic. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model 240FS AA). The study presented the several risks and environmental effects associated with heavy metal toxicity. The environmental risk assessment was performed in which the chronic daily intake through ingestion for adults was calculated. The hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic risk assessment and cancer risk assessment were also calculated. The obtained HQ values for Pb (7.857), Hg (4.333×10¹), As (1.867×10²), Ni (4.521×10²), Cr (3.333), Al (5.753), Mo (11), Ag (1.13) and Se (19) were greater than 1 and they were in the order: Se > Mo > Pb > Al > Ni > Hg > Cr > As > Ag. This means that the population is exposed to health risks with non-carcinogenic effects from this study. Metals with HQ values less than 1 were Cd (0.425), Fe (0.346), Zn (0.199), Cu (0.123), Mn (0.023) and Co (0.011). Cancer risk assessment was also carried out based on Pb, As, Ni, Cr and Cd with values 3.887 × 10^-5, 3.6 × 10^-2, 3.526, 2.184 × 10^-3 and 2.73 ×10^-3 respectively and nickel (Ni) proved to be the highest contributor to cancer risk in this study. Long term exposure to heavy metals possesses both potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.

Published in	American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry (Volume 5, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
Page(s)	27-32
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pollution, Heavy Metals, Pharmaceutical Effluents

References

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Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu, Okoye Nkechi Helen. (2021). Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment. American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry, 5(2), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

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ACS Style

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu; Okoye Nkechi Helen. Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment. Am. J. Appl. Ind. Chem. 2021, 5(2), 27-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

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AMA Style

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu, Okoye Nkechi Helen. Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment. Am J Appl Ind Chem. 2021;5(2):27-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11,
  author = {Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu and Okoye Nkechi Helen},
  title = {Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry},
  volume = {5},
  number = {2},
  pages = {27-32},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaic.20210502.11},
  abstract = {Pollution is an act of contaminating the environment by harmful or toxic substances that could be of solid, liquid or gaseous materials. Effluents containing heavy metals that are indiscriminately discharged into the environment pollute the ecosystem and pose great risks to the organisms in it. Here, we review effluent discharged from a pharmaceutical industry in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria and analyzed for heavy metal pollution. The twenty heavy metals analyzed were: magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron, chromium, sodium, aluminum, vanadium, potassium, silver, manganese, mercury, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, selenium and arsenic. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model 240FS AA). The study presented the several risks and environmental effects associated with heavy metal toxicity. The environmental risk assessment was performed in which the chronic daily intake through ingestion for adults was calculated. The hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic risk assessment and cancer risk assessment were also calculated. The obtained HQ values for Pb (7.857), Hg (4.333×101), As (1.867×102), Ni (4.521×102), Cr (3.333), Al (5.753), Mo (11), Ag (1.13) and Se (19) were greater than 1 and they were in the order: Se > Mo > Pb > Al > Ni > Hg > Cr > As > Ag. This means that the population is exposed to health risks with non-carcinogenic effects from this study. Metals with HQ values less than 1 were Cd (0.425), Fe (0.346), Zn (0.199), Cu (0.123), Mn (0.023) and Co (0.011). Cancer risk assessment was also carried out based on Pb, As, Ni, Cr and Cd with values 3.887 × 10-5, 3.6 × 10-2, 3.526, 2.184 × 10-3 and 2.73 ×10-3 respectively and nickel (Ni) proved to be the highest contributor to cancer risk in this study. Long term exposure to heavy metals possesses both potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment
AU  - Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu
AU  - Okoye Nkechi Helen
Y1  - 2021/08/18
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
T2  - American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry
JF  - American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry
JO  - American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry
SP  - 27
EP  - 32
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7294
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
AB  - Pollution is an act of contaminating the environment by harmful or toxic substances that could be of solid, liquid or gaseous materials. Effluents containing heavy metals that are indiscriminately discharged into the environment pollute the ecosystem and pose great risks to the organisms in it. Here, we review effluent discharged from a pharmaceutical industry in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria and analyzed for heavy metal pollution. The twenty heavy metals analyzed were: magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron, chromium, sodium, aluminum, vanadium, potassium, silver, manganese, mercury, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, selenium and arsenic. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model 240FS AA). The study presented the several risks and environmental effects associated with heavy metal toxicity. The environmental risk assessment was performed in which the chronic daily intake through ingestion for adults was calculated. The hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic risk assessment and cancer risk assessment were also calculated. The obtained HQ values for Pb (7.857), Hg (4.333×101), As (1.867×102), Ni (4.521×102), Cr (3.333), Al (5.753), Mo (11), Ag (1.13) and Se (19) were greater than 1 and they were in the order: Se > Mo > Pb > Al > Ni > Hg > Cr > As > Ag. This means that the population is exposed to health risks with non-carcinogenic effects from this study. Metals with HQ values less than 1 were Cd (0.425), Fe (0.346), Zn (0.199), Cu (0.123), Mn (0.023) and Co (0.011). Cancer risk assessment was also carried out based on Pb, As, Ni, Cr and Cd with values 3.887 × 10-5, 3.6 × 10-2, 3.526, 2.184 × 10-3 and 2.73 ×10-3 respectively and nickel (Ni) proved to be the highest contributor to cancer risk in this study. Long term exposure to heavy metals possesses both potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.
VL  - 5
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu

Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Okoye Nkechi Helen

Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

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APA Style

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu, Okoye Nkechi Helen. (2021). Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment. American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry, 5(2), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

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ACS Style

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu; Okoye Nkechi Helen. Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment. Am. J. Appl. Ind. Chem. 2021, 5(2), 27-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

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AMA Style

Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu, Okoye Nkechi Helen. Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment. Am J Appl Ind Chem. 2021;5(2):27-32. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11,
  author = {Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu and Okoye Nkechi Helen},
  title = {Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry},
  volume = {5},
  number = {2},
  pages = {27-32},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaic.20210502.11},
  abstract = {Pollution is an act of contaminating the environment by harmful or toxic substances that could be of solid, liquid or gaseous materials. Effluents containing heavy metals that are indiscriminately discharged into the environment pollute the ecosystem and pose great risks to the organisms in it. Here, we review effluent discharged from a pharmaceutical industry in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria and analyzed for heavy metal pollution. The twenty heavy metals analyzed were: magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron, chromium, sodium, aluminum, vanadium, potassium, silver, manganese, mercury, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, selenium and arsenic. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model 240FS AA). The study presented the several risks and environmental effects associated with heavy metal toxicity. The environmental risk assessment was performed in which the chronic daily intake through ingestion for adults was calculated. The hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic risk assessment and cancer risk assessment were also calculated. The obtained HQ values for Pb (7.857), Hg (4.333×101), As (1.867×102), Ni (4.521×102), Cr (3.333), Al (5.753), Mo (11), Ag (1.13) and Se (19) were greater than 1 and they were in the order: Se > Mo > Pb > Al > Ni > Hg > Cr > As > Ag. This means that the population is exposed to health risks with non-carcinogenic effects from this study. Metals with HQ values less than 1 were Cd (0.425), Fe (0.346), Zn (0.199), Cu (0.123), Mn (0.023) and Co (0.011). Cancer risk assessment was also carried out based on Pb, As, Ni, Cr and Cd with values 3.887 × 10-5, 3.6 × 10-2, 3.526, 2.184 × 10-3 and 2.73 ×10-3 respectively and nickel (Ni) proved to be the highest contributor to cancer risk in this study. Long term exposure to heavy metals possesses both potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry for Sustainable Development and Its Risk Assessment
AU  - Nnaeme Esther Uchechukwu
AU  - Okoye Nkechi Helen
Y1  - 2021/08/18
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
T2  - American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry
JF  - American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry
JO  - American Journal of Applied and Industrial Chemistry
SP  - 27
EP  - 32
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7294
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaic.20210502.11
AB  - Pollution is an act of contaminating the environment by harmful or toxic substances that could be of solid, liquid or gaseous materials. Effluents containing heavy metals that are indiscriminately discharged into the environment pollute the ecosystem and pose great risks to the organisms in it. Here, we review effluent discharged from a pharmaceutical industry in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria and analyzed for heavy metal pollution. The twenty heavy metals analyzed were: magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron, chromium, sodium, aluminum, vanadium, potassium, silver, manganese, mercury, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, selenium and arsenic. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model 240FS AA). The study presented the several risks and environmental effects associated with heavy metal toxicity. The environmental risk assessment was performed in which the chronic daily intake through ingestion for adults was calculated. The hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic risk assessment and cancer risk assessment were also calculated. The obtained HQ values for Pb (7.857), Hg (4.333×101), As (1.867×102), Ni (4.521×102), Cr (3.333), Al (5.753), Mo (11), Ag (1.13) and Se (19) were greater than 1 and they were in the order: Se > Mo > Pb > Al > Ni > Hg > Cr > As > Ag. This means that the population is exposed to health risks with non-carcinogenic effects from this study. Metals with HQ values less than 1 were Cd (0.425), Fe (0.346), Zn (0.199), Cu (0.123), Mn (0.023) and Co (0.011). Cancer risk assessment was also carried out based on Pb, As, Ni, Cr and Cd with values 3.887 × 10-5, 3.6 × 10-2, 3.526, 2.184 × 10-3 and 2.73 ×10-3 respectively and nickel (Ni) proved to be the highest contributor to cancer risk in this study. Long term exposure to heavy metals possesses both potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.
VL  - 5
IS  - 2
ER  -

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