THE DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS OF COALS AND THEIR HEALTH IMPLICATIONS BASED ON THE TRACE ELEMENTS CONTENT: CASE STUDY OF OKABA COAL

Abstract

A total of 10 coal samples were collected from Okaba coal mine and analysed for their trace elements constitution and concentration. This is with a view to determine the coal’s suitability for domestic uses or otherwise base 1 on the type and concentrations of trace elements present in the coal and their effects on animals and human beings when applied domestically. This paper discusses the various possible effects of the analysed trace elements constituents of coal samples from Okaba mine. Analysis of the coal samples indicated average concentrations of 2.77% Fe, 0.06% Mn, 1.3ppm Cd, 0.013ppm Co, 1.22ppm Zn, 0.65ppm Pb, 1.29ppm Cr, 0.85ppm V, 0.65ppm MO and 1.022ppm Ni. Copper was not detected in all the coals samples. The concentrations of most of the elements analysed fall within tolerable limits and will not pose any health hazard when the coal is used domestically. It is however recommended that the mined coal be subjected to washing using a luitable Heavy Liquid Medium (HLM) e.g. kerosene. This is expected to reduce the concentration of the trace elements through the elimination of the fine coal dust and fly ashes. Disease usually associated with intake of the analysed trace elements include pulmonary oedema, muscle cramps, kidney inflammation, liver darrliage anaemia, bronchitis, dermatitis, lung carcinoma, transitory fever, mental impairment failure etc.