Assessment of the Climatic Conditions and Health Risk of Potentially Toxic Elements in Ambient Air of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Air pollution has become a global phenomenon and of great concern. This study investigated the influence of climatic conditions on potentially toxic elements (PTEs – Ni, Cd, As, Cr, Pb) and the associated health risks posed by the elements in selected locations within Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The research spanned from September 2014 to February 2025 covering both dry and wet season and focused on Eleme-Akpajo, TransAmadi and GRA-Port Harcourt serving as a control location. Meteorological factors (Temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and wind direction) and PTEs were measured at geolocated stations using air 4250 Kestrel weather trackers and Kanomax 3900 portable counter high volume sampler and Atomic absorption spectrophotometer respectively based on ASTM D1971/4691 standard method. The results indicated that the industrial areas had significantly higher PTE concentrations (P < 0.05), influenced by climate conditions and anthropogenic activities, posing serious health concerns. Eleme-Akpajo showed the high average temperature (34.68°C dry season) and correspondingly elevated PTEs concentrations. Average concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr exceeded WHO ambient air quality standards in Eleme-Akpajo and TransAmadi, particularly during the dry season. There were extremely high EF values for Cadmium in both locations, particularly at Eleme-Akpajo (EF > 3000 in wet season), indicating significant anthropogenic input. Lead and Arsenic also showed elevated EF values above 10, particularly in the wet season, signifying non-crustal sources. Chromium, on the other hand, consistently recorded EF < 1 in both sites and seasons, suggesting a natural origin (crustal). Non-Carcinogenic Risk revealed that HQ for children and adults was >1 in Eleme-Akpajo and Trans-Amadi, indicating a potential for adverse health effects. Cd and Pb were the major contributors. Carcinogenic Risks, CR values for Cr and Cd ranged from 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ to 3.4 × 10⁻⁴ in Eleme-Akpajo, exceeding the acceptable limit. GRA recorded CR values below 10⁻⁵, posing negligible risk. At Eleme-Akpajo, all PTEs loaded equally and positively on PC1, suggesting a strong shared source, most likely industrial emissions. At Trans-Amadi, although PC1 still captured all the variance, the more varied loading patterns indicate the possibility of multiple, less uniformly distributed sources. The nearly equal and opposite values of PC2 at both sites reflect minor influence or variability across the sample matrix, but do not significantly. Continuous monitoring, pollution control, and policy interventions are essential to mitigate environmental health hazards in the city.