Hundreds of children died in 2010 due to suspected lead poisoning from mining sources in Zamfara State among epidemiological concerns. Evaluating ecological and human health risks of heavy metals levels in sampled food crops harvested near two abandoned Lead-Zinc mining sites at Logo Benue State is crucial. Abelmoschus esculentus, Carica papaya, Manihot esculenta, and Zea mays were sampled, prepared, and analyzed for four heavy metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method. The mean data from the analysis of variance was subjected to ecological and health risk models. Pb means value ranged from Carica papaya Peel 0.46 ± 0.011 mg/kg to 1.30 ± 0.01 mg/kg in Zea mays seed. Zn was highest in Carica papaya flesh 0.50 ± 0.01 mg/kg, and lowest in Manihot esculenta peels and its flesh 0.12 ± 0.000 mg/kg. Hg and Cd were below detectable levels. Zea mays seeds (1.001) had the highest Pd bioaccumulation factor. BAF of zinc and ecological indices were <1. Daily Intake of Metals were all <1, however, Hazard Quotient (HQ) of Pb was ≥1 in Manihot esculenta flesh 1.143 and Zea mays at 1714. Cancer Risks were within permissible range (10 −4 -10 −6 ). Health Risk result indicates communities around the mining area may be at risk of lead poisoning therefore due to high contamination of samples, routine checks on heavy metals especially lead is recommended to prevent excessive bioaccumulation in the body.
Aim: The study was aimed at determining the risk assessment of toxic metal concentration in soil and water at two abandoned Lead-Zinc mines Yonov District, Logo, Benue State, Nigeria.
Study design: comparative cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: This study was carried out at the Bruce Powel Toxicology & Biodiversity Laboratory, Animal and Environmental Biology Department, University of Port Harcourt, Analysis at Giolee Global Services Limited Port Harcourt, Nigeria from 16th July to 30th October 2019.
Methodology: Eighteen composite water and soil samples were collected and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.
Results: The mean concentration of Lead (Pb) was higher than that of Zinc (Zn) in all eighteen samples, while, Mercury (Hg) and Cadmium (Cd) were below detection limit in all samples. Mean concentration for Pb in soil samples in the order SiteII>Site I (1.29±0.134 mg/kg>1.26±0.04mg/kg) >control 0.82±0.06 mg/kg. Zn was higher in site I, 0.70±0.10 mg/kg than site II 0.66±0.04mg/kg, and control 0.42±0.02mg/kg. Pb values in water was similar in both sites at 0.46±0.04/0.02 mg/L, while control 0.02±0.001mg/kg. Zn was higher in site II 0.05±0.01mg/L than site I 0.04±0.01Mg/L, control was 0.004±0.00 mg/L. Health risk assessment showed that Estimated daily intake of metals, hazard quotient, hazard index were all less than 1, Carcinogenic risk was within the stipulated ranged of 10-6 to 10-4.
Conclusion: Ecological and health risk indices revealed non-contamination by Poisonous metals, however, routine assessment is recommended to forestall any sudden change in the concentration that may result to deleterious effects on human health.
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