Background: Cement production is a major industrial activity associated with environmental and occupational pollution, particularly through particulate matter and heavy metal emissions. Prolonged exposure to cement dust may result in systemic toxicity, including renal dysfunction. This study investigated the impact of cement factory exposure on renal biochemical parameters among factory workers and residents in Okpella, Edo State, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design was employed. One hundred participants were recruited: 25 factory workers, 25 residents within 5 km of the factory, and 50 controls with no known exposure. Serum creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium levels were measured. Data were analyzed using t-tests with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Cement workers exhibited significantly higher serum creatinine (1.3 ± 0.2 mg/dL) compared to controls (0.7 ± 0.2 mg/dL; p=0.01). Urea levels were elevated in workers (58.2 ± 5.6 mg/dL) relative to controls (46.2 ± 13.4 mg/dL; p=0.001). Serum sodium was significantly higher in workers (150.4 ± 10.6 mmol/L) than in controls (146.0 ± 4.7 mmol/L; p=0.001). Potassium levels were also increased in workers (4.5 ± 1.0 mmol/L) compared to controls (3.8 ± 0.3 mmol/L; p=0.004). Similar trends were observed among residents, though with less magnitude. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to cement factory emissions is associated with altered renal biochemical parameters, suggesting potential early renal impairment among workers and residents. Periodic medical screening, dust exposure reduction strategies, and environmental monitoring are recommended to mitigate renal health risks in industrial communities

Soil quality plays a critical role in agricultural productivity, environmental resilience, and sustainable land use, particularly in the dryland regions of northern Nigeria where soil degradation, low rainfall, and nutrient depletion threaten food security. This study employed a modified fuzzy logic model to assess and map soil quality across selected dryland areas using geospatial techniques. Ten key soil parameters were considered: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic carbon (OC), bulk density (BD), pH, soil depth, texture, drainage, and slope. These variables were standardized into fuzzy membership classes (low = 0, medium = 0.5, high = 1) based on agronomic thresholds and expert knowledge, and each was assigned a weight reflecting its importance in dryland soil productivity. The integration of these factors was conducted using overlay analysis within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment, producing a composite soil quality index map. The results showed significant spatial variability in soil quality, with approximately 30.3% of the area classified as very high, 37.9% as medium, and 30.5% as low quality. High-quality soils were largely located in areas of dense vegetation such as parts of Kaduna, Niger, and northeastern Katsina, while low quality were found in regions experiencing leaching, shallow depths, and prolonged cultivation without adequate management. It provides a decision-support tool for sustainable land use planning, soil management, and policy interventions in dryland environments.

The study was carried out to evaluate the environmental impact of waste dumpsite to the quality of ground water as a major component of the environment using Idunmwowina Community as a case study. A total of fifteen (15) samples of borehole water were collected or sampled at 15 different locations. All samples were subjected to heavy metal determination, physiochemical parameters and bacteriological analysis. The water samples were analyzed to determine its portability and also compared with WHO and NAFDAC standard. The diluent was analyzed using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). The physiochemical analysis indicated minimum and maximum value range pH (5.1 to 6.8, EC (19.0μs/cm to 167.2μs/cm) Clear Turbidity, Salinity (0.019mg/l to 1.00mg/l), TDS (10.45mg/l to 91.6mg/l) Nitrate (0.730mg/l to 2.408mg/l) Bicarbonate (0.41mg/l to 0.49mg/l) Alkalinity (41.00mg/l to 50.00 mg/l) Sulphate (3.102mg/l to 3.471mg/l) DO (2.11 to 2.46) BOD (2.44mg/l to 3.00mg/l) COD (5.31 to 6.48) and Ammonium Nitrogen (0.13mg/l to 2.11mg/l). The analysis for heavy metal shows Lb (0.01-0.03mg/l), Cd (0.01 mg/l), Ni (Not Detected), Cr (0.06-0.28 mg/l), Fe (0.1 mg/l), Zn (0.01-9.17 mg/l) These values obtained all fall below WHO standard. The quality of samples obtained were seriously compromised as a result of feacal bacteria growth and elevated values of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) in soil and groundwater.