Abstract

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The study assessed the drug susceptibility, ecological and human health risks associated with toxic metal concentrations of five dumpsite soils in Osogbo metropolis, Southwest Nigeria. Fungal distribution and susceptibility, heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) levels of Egbedi, Gbonmi, Ilesa garage, Omobolanle, and Oke-Baale dumpsite soils were determined following standard protocol. Pollution, ecological, and human health risk indices were also estimated. A total of 17 fungal isolates were obtained, with Aspergillus and Penicillium genera being prevalent. All the isolates (17) were susceptible to voriconazole while 10 and 16 were resistant to amphotericin B and fluconazole, respectively. The level of toxic metals in the soils was in the descending order: Cu > Fe > Pb > Cd > Zn except in Egbedi whose Zn (64.05±0.03 mg/kg) was higher than Cd (48.45 ± 0.02 mg/kg). In this investigation, Omobolanle and Egbedi dumpsite soils showed high-level pollution. Cadmium was the major contaminant and contributes majorly to the high ecological risk in the areas. For both children and adults, the level of metals in the soils do not suggest a significant cancer threat. Similarly, Cd through inhalation signals extremely high non carcinogenic risk. There is a need for effective monitoring of pollution in the dumpsites to safeguard environmental and human health

Keywords: Dumpsite soils, fungi, heavy metals, pollution, risk assessment