Assessment of the Pollution Indices of Particulate Matter Trapped in Classroom Ceiling Fans in a Tertiary Institution in Southern Nigeria

This study examined concentration of particulate matter in ceiling fans at the four campuses of the University of Cross River State, Calabar – Nigeria. Samples of dust particles were collected from six different halls in indoor environment. The samples were analysed using standard laboratory techniques. Heavy metals such Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb were present in the dust samples and the data were analysed using pollution indices. The findings of the study revealed that the study area is heavily polluted with Cd, Mn, Cu, Cu and Pb with a few exceptions in some sampled sites. The major heavy metal with high level of contamination, pollution and extreme damage is cadmium (Cd). Environment polluted with cadmium poses health risk such as cancers of the kidneys, lungs, breast and prostate. It also has genetoxic and cytotoxic effects and causes generation of reactive oxygen species like superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl free radicals which can harm the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The source of heavy metals is from anthropogenic activities such as vehicular emission, incineration of municipal waste, burning of fossil fuels and nickel – cadmium batteries and a few from natural source as evidenced in enrichment factor. It was recommended that environment–friendly bioremediation techniques should be employed to remove cadmium from the ceiling fans.