Heavy Metals Contamination and Health Risk Assessment in Underground Water in Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in drinking water poses a major risk to global public health, undermining the well-being of communities worldwide. The study aimed to determine concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Cu and Cr) in 10 samples of underground water across the study area. The concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometer. The results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals Fe, Cu and Cr are 0.71 mg/l, 0.47 mg/l and 0.07 mg/l respectively. The heavy metals concentrations are higher than the recommended limits set by WHO and USEPA, with the exception of Cu, which is below the permissible limit of 2.0 mg/l. The health risk assessments were assessed by computing hazard index (HI) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR). The total hazard index computed due to heavy metals is 1.52, is above the acceptable limit of (HI ), also the cumulative cancer risk for carcinogenic element is , which is higher than permissible limits ), indicating non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic due to ingestion of water contaminated with heavy metals. The study will assist relevant government agencies in taking strategic action to lessen the heavy metals contamination of drinking water.