Abstract

Lead and cadmium concentrations in Paspalum orbiculare from four different dumpsites and a control site were determined in this study. The Plant samples were analyzed for lead and cadmium concentrations using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) Perkins Elmer Model 500. The presence of lead in the plant tissues obtained form the study site where burning was attributed to the high degree of correlation between foliar concentration and burning of refuse. High concentration of heavy metals can be a source of health risk to living organisms including humans in the environment. More needs to be done in the way we dispose our solid wastes to reduce environmental pollution.   

Key words: Pollution, heavy metals, incineration, dumpsites.