Abstract:

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For humans, plants, and animals to survive and preserve their health, access to drinkable water is necessary. This study measured the levels of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) in a few chosen water samples and examined the dangers to human health that resulted from ingesting exposure pathways. The analysis was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) at the Central Laboratory, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. Pb was the most common pollutant, according to analytical results, with amounts ranging from 0.013 to 0.333 mg/L, frequently surpassing the 0.01 mg/L WHO recommendation limit. While chromium remained largely undetectable, with a highest value of 0.038 mg/L, cadmium amounts varied from 0.008 to 0.020 mg/L. Children's lower body weight and higher water intake rates put them at a much higher risk than adults, according to health risk evaluations based on Average Daily Dose (ADD) and cancer risk estimates. For a number of samples, the cancer risk (CR) values were higher than the permitted limit of 1.0 × 10⁻ ⁴ set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), suggesting possible health risks. Significantly, due mainly to higher lead concentrations, samples M4 (0.333), J5 (0.200), M1 (0.254), and K5 (0.203) posed the greatest health concerns. In order to safeguard children and other vulnerable groups, these findings emphasize the critical need for prompt remediation of the impacted water sources, limitations on their use, and the provision of safe substitute drinking water.

Keyward(s): Borno State, Nigeria. Kidney Disease, Heavy Metals, Health Risk Assessment, Water Contamination

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