Skip to Main Content
117
Views
2
CrossRef citations to date
Altmetric

Eco/Toxicology

Systemic chronic health risk assessment of residential exposure to Cd2+ and Cr6+ in groundwater

Pages 181-194
Received 22 Jun 2011
Accepted 17 Oct 2011
Accepted author version posted online: 28 Oct 2011
Published online: 23 Nov 2011
 
Translator disclaimer

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, Cd2+, Cr6+, and Pb2+ were detected at concentrations higher than maximum regulatory limits. Cd2+ concentrations (mg L−1) range from 0.03 to 0.06 and 0.02 to 0.05 in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, while Cr6+ levels (mg L−1) range from 0.59 to 0.67 and 0.34 to 0.53, respectively, for the two seasons. Also, Pb2+ levels (mg L−1) 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.

 

People also read