Measurement of Different Heavy Metals Concentration in Roadside Dust in the Vicinity of Gujrat, Pakistan

Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization in many countries of the world, heavy metals are continuously emitted into the terrestrial environment and posing great threat to human health. The present study was conducted to measure the concentration of six heavy metals, chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in roadside dust of five major roads in Gujrat city. The dust samples were collected from five different locations in the vicinity of Gujrat. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the dust samples were higher than their permissible limits. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were much higher than those in the background value of Gujrat soil. Results clearly concluded that the heavy traffic and transportation is the major responsible source of these heavy metals in the road dust of Gujrat city along with the transportation of sewage sludge, surface runoff from agricultural land and discharge of sewage water from drains.