COMPOSTING AND ASSOCIATED
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS ON LIVING THINGS.
Awotoye Olubukola Omotayo.
bukolatoye@rocketmail.con
Federal College of Forestry,
P.M.B, 5054, Jericho Hill, Ibadan,
Oyo State, Nigeria.
Heavy metals are recognised as having relative toxicity and bioaccumulative
potentials. Some heavy metals like Ascobium (As), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg) and
Lead (Pb) are particularly hazardous to plants, animals and humans. It has been
reported that the world is undergoing a silent epidemic of environmental metal
poisoning from ever increasing amount of metals being introduce to the biosphere.
Consequently, plants which act as vehicles will transfer these toxic metals into the
food chain with a serious implication to human health. As a trace elements, some
heavy metals e.g Copper (Cu), selenium (SI), Zinc (Zn) are essential to maintain the
metabolism of the body. However, at higher concentration they can lead to poisoning.
It has been reported that the toxicity of Lead (Pb) can lead to encephalopathy,
renal effect and haematological effect. An association between Lead exposure and
violent behaviour has been revealed in recent studies, some heavy metals are
neurotoxin in which consumption above the require limit can generate brain
dysfunction. A neurotoxicity hypothesis has been formulated which states that
exposure to lead alters neurotransmitter and hormonal system. It is therefore
imperative to assess the level at which composting contribute to the presence of this
heavy metals in the food chain
This paper therefore discussed the level of absorption of heavy metals by two
leafy vegetables (Amaranthus cruentus Linn and Telferia occidentalis Hook) planted
with compost manure. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomised Design
(CRD) with different levels of exposure to compost. The vegetables were grown for
two weeks after which they were taking for heavy metals analysis to ascertain the
level of heavy metal absorption as a result of composting and conclusion was made
based on the finding of this research.