Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess theconcentrations of some heavy metals of human healthimportance in the roadside dusts across three major locations inMonte Christo, Windhoek and compare the values withregulatory maximum permissible limits. Eighteen (18) samplesof the roadside dusts (consisting of 6 each) were collected fromboth sides of the road at Hereford street, Fuel service station,and Traffic junction. The samples were digested using EPAmethod 3050B and analyzed for the heavy metals’concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma-OpticalEmission Spectrophotometer (ICP: Perkin Elmer Optima 7000DV). The overall mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the heavymetals recorded across the sampling sites follow the order:Fe >Mn> Zn > Cu >Pb> Cr > Ni. Result of the analysis ofvariance between the mean concentrations of the heavy metalswas statistically significant (Anova: single factor, p < 0.05).Although, the present concentrations of the heavy metals weregenerally lower than their health regulatory maximumpermissible limits in soils, the enrichment factors revealeddeficient to minimal (2 < EF < 5) and significant indices (5 < EF< 20). These are related to anthropogenically inducedcontaminations. There are strong positive correlations betweenthe mean levels of the heavy metals which suggest commonsources of anthropogenic inputs. It is therefore, recommendedthat the impact of the sources of metals emission on heavymetals’ accumulations in the area should be established with aview to advising precautionary measures that could minimizeunintended exposure of the populace.