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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2022, 12(4): 246-257
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Article

Human health implications of heavy metal contaminants in well water used for domestic purposes in Ojoo, Ibadan

Chidiebere Chinonso Ogbonna
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Received 1 July 2022;Accepted 8 August 2022;Published online 24 August 2022;Published 1 December 2022
IAEES

Abstract
An adequate supply of safe drinking water is fundamental to the protection of public health; however, lack of sources of portable water has exposed most rural and urban dwellers to alternative water sources such as hand dug well. These sources can become severely contaminated and represent a significant health risk to the user population. This research examines the human health implications of heavy metal contaminants in hand-dug wells in Ojoo and environs, Ibadan, Nigeria. Ten samples were taken from selected wells used for domestic purposes in residential areas. These sample were analysed for heavy metals including (cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel and manganese) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results show that there are high concentration of most of the heavy metals in the well water samples with Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd having mean concentrations above the maximum limit as stipulated by World Health Organisation. The risk assessment results indicates that the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and the Total Hazard Index (THI) were greater than 1 in most of the samples analysed and therefore constitutes a health risk. It is obvious from our findings that ground water gets easily contaminated and exposes users to severe health risks. Government should provide good portable water to her citizens to curb diseases arising from heavy metal contamination.

Keywords heavy metals;Hazard Quotient (HQ);Total Hazard Index (THI);risk assessment;toxicity;oral daily intake.

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