Environmental Safety and Management of Heavy Metals along Machakos Road, Nairobi County, Kenya
Scientific Research Publishing
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Abstract: This study investigates heavy metal pollution in soil and groundwater along Machakos Road in Nairobi?s industrial area. Using experimental methods and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), 56 samples from seven sites were analyzed for metal concentration and physico-chemical properties. Results revealed elevated levels of Fe (3.75 ± 0.54 mg/L), Zn (5.32 ± 0.45 mg/L), and Pb (0.20 ± 0.02 mg/L), exceeding WHO safety limits in industrial, dumpsite, and runoff zones. The industrial area exhibited high soil and water electrical conductivity, indicating enhanced metal solubility and mobility. The construction site recorded the most acidic soil (pH 4.48), and the residential site showed the highest Pb levels in soil. The study affirms that anthropogenic activities, especially industrial waste disposal, are key contributors to metal toxicity in urban Nairobi. Recommendations include policy reform, remediation strategies, and improved monitoring to safeguard urban environmental and public health.