HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN WATER FROM ANAMBRA RIVER BASIN IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Eight (8) heavy metals (iron (Fe) manganese (Mn) zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni)) were assessed between February and August 2019 in 3 stations, using atomic absorption spectrometer, and health risk evaluated using chronicle daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard index (THI) for all the stations. The result indicated that CDI of most heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb) for children exceeded their oral reference dose (RfD) but only Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn exceeded their RfD for adult. Hazard quotient (HQ) of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb were far exceeded unit (1) for children while only Mn and Cr exceeded hazard quotient unit (1) for adult. The total hazard index (THI) for both children and adult far exceeded threshold value (1). The findings of this study revealed that all the communities depending on Anambra river basin for their drinking water are vulnerable to heavy metals related diseases. Constant monitoring and remediation processes of the Anambra River basin are strongly recommended.

Keywords

• river basin
• climatic variables
• water pollution
• human health
• risk