Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils in and Around Some Selected Auto Mechanic Workshops in Ga East Municipal Assembly of Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Welder and auto mechanics face a number of occupational health hazards. In this study, distribution of nine heavy metals from soil samples collected from twelve auto mechanics and welders’ workshops in Ga East Municipal Assembly of Greater Accra Region, Ghana at the depth of 0—30 cm for laboratory analysis. The samples were analysed for Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, and Cd using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS). The results of the analysis indicate that majority of metal concentrations (mg/kg) in the samples were above control (background) levels and threshold limits recommended in soil samples by some countries. The level of investigated metals in the soil samples generally decreased in this order; Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd > Co. The results of the analysis ranged from as high as 313 mg/kg for Fe to as low as 0.30 mg/kg for Co in the soil samples. Quantification of contamination was high for Cu, Fe, Cr, Zn, Co, Cd and Pb, moderate for Mn and low for Ni. The geo-accumulation index values for metals in auto-mechanic workshops showed that the environment is highly polluted with Cu, Fe and Cr, and to a lesser degree with Pb, Mn. and Ni.  Zinc (Zn), Co and Cd showed moderate pollution status.