Systemic chronic health risk assessment of residential exposure to Cd2+and Cr6+in groundwater
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Abstract
Description
A health risk assessment was undertaken for residents of Ubeji community who
consume groundwater contaminated with trace metals. A total of 96 composite
groundwater samples were collected in the dry and wet seasons from 12 locally dug
wells, which are major sources of groundwater to the community. Concentrations of the
metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and were found to
vary with season. Among the metals studied, Cd , Cr , and Pb were detected at
concentrations higher than maximum regulatory limits. Cd concentrations (mg L )
range from 0.03 to 0.06 and 0.02 to 0.05 in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, while
Cr levels (mg L ) range from 0.59 to 0.67 and 0.34 to 0.53, respectively, for the two
seasons. Also, Pb levels (mg L ) range from 2.8 to 3.4 and 2.7 to 3.1 in the dry and
wet seasons, respectively. It is estimated that exposure to metals in the community
drinking water results in carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks that are higher than
the generally acceptable risks of drinking water. Therefore, the results indicate that the
concentrations of the metals in the groundwater are high and the consumption of water
from the community wells may result in systemic chronic health risk to the residents.
Keywords
QD Chemistry