HEAVY METALS CONTENT AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF IKPE IKOT NKON RIVER, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Heavy metals in water pose detrimental consequence on health of the consumers and aquatic organisms. Metallic pollutants in drinking water leads to dysfunction of organs and systems in the body with other associated health risk conditions. Study on heavy metal content and health risk assessment of water from Ikpe Ikot Nkon River was carried out between October 2020 and September 2021 (twelve months), to evaluate the suitability of the river water for human consumption.  Eight heavy metals were assessed in the water samples collected from three stations using atomic absorption spectrophotometer after digestion. The findings were compared with Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality. The mean concentration of some metals (Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Fe and Pb) exceeded the permissible limits due to anthropogenic activities and seasonal influences. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessment indicated that the chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values for Cr and Fe exceeded oral toxicity reference dosage and threshold value of 1respectively. The hazard index (HI) was high in all the stations and above the threshold value (1). The results of some heavy metals (Mn,Cr,Ni,Cd,Fe and Pb), CDI and HQ values for Cr and Fe, and the HI values calls for concern regarding their effects on human health, which could be detrimental to the people drinking from this river. Based on the results, the water is not suitable for human consumption.