Abstract

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HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS INTAKE VIA CASSAVA CONSUMPTION FROM CRUDE OIL IMPACTED SOILS WITH AND WITHOUT PALM BUNCH ASH ADDITIVE

Samuel R. Osu, Moses M. Solomon, Ekaette J. Abai, Idongesit G. Etim


Pollution of the Niger Delta soils with heavy metals due to crude oil spillage has posed serious threat to the ecological integrity and human well being. The study was conducted to determine the extent of contamination of Ikot Ada Udo soil and human health risk associated with consumption of cassava from the contaminated soil. The efficacy of palm bunch ash in reclaiming the contaminated soil as presently claimed by the local farmers was also examined. The contaminated soils (with and without palm bunch additive) and cassava tubers obtained from the soils were analyzed for Fe, Pb, Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd. Contamination factor, enrichment factor, and geoaccumulation index were calculated to ascertain the level of contamination of the soils while transfer factor, daily intake of metal, health risk index, and target hazard quotient were evaluated for health risk assessment. The efficacy of palm bunch ash in reclaiming the contaminated soil was evaluated by calculating the percentage heavy metal reduction (%) in the contaminated soil treated with palm bunch ash. values suggested that the contaminated soils (with and without palm bunch additive) were highly enriched with Fe, Pb, Cu, and Cr. and values pointed to high health risk for people consuming cassava products from these soils. The calculated % showed a positive influence of palm bunch ash on the metals concentrations. followed the trend: Fe>Cd>Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Ni.