Abstract
This work investigated the human health risk effects of heavy metal contamination at Galena mining area. 10 elements were identified in both irrigated and wet season edible crops and fish were collected from five sampling locations at Galena mining area. Wet season crops held higher concentrations of heavy metals than irrigated crops. Study showed carcinogenic heavy metals Pb (1.42 E +08), Cd (1.36 E +14), Cr (1.31E – 07), As (3.92 E -06), Co (9.42E + 12), Cd (1.36 E +14) while non-carcinogenic heavy metals exposure showed assessment of health risk which indicated three major exposure pathways for people: ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation for non-carcinogenic while carcinogenic metals were exposure through ingestion and inhalation only. HI and HQ levels are < 1 indicating health risks of heavy metals in crops and fish, while carcinogenic Pb showed higher HI through ingestion by children and adults exposure. In this study, the routes of heavy metals exposure especially Pb as the major constituent element of galena was greater than 1.0 indicating higher health risks hence adequate diagnosis should be upheld in the area. Key words: Galena, heavy metal, carcinogenic, non-carcinogenic, health risk
Highlights
Sediments and associated minerals conceived many heavy metals due to chemical weathering from rock surfaces; they are released into the environment at various rates and their concentrations from natural materials which are considered as pollutants, such as arsenic released from the weathering of arsenical pyrite (Gordon et al, 1999)
Heavy metals exposure analyzed were determined through three pathways of ingestion, inhalation and dermal intake of heavy metals from the soil through various routes that grasped the crops, and exhibits health risk effects on humans
The hazard quotient (HQ) evaluation investigations of non-carcinogenic effects, showed ingestion to be the route of exposure to soil dust that results in a higher risk for heavy metals, followed by dermal contact as stated by Afrifa et al (2015)
Summary
Sediments and associated minerals conceived many heavy metals due to chemical weathering from rock surfaces; they are released into the environment at various rates and their concentrations from natural materials which are considered as pollutants, such as arsenic released from the weathering of arsenical pyrite (Gordon et al, 1999). Cadmium is a heavy metal with high toxicity and it is a non-essential element in foods and natural waters that accumulates principally in the kidneys and liver. Pb is a highly toxic and carcinogenic metal causes chronic health risks, including headache, irritability, abdominal pain, nerve damages, kidney damage, blood pressure, lung cancer, stomach cancer and gliomas. The children are most susceptible to Pb toxicity, their exposure to high levels of Pb cause severe health complexities such as behavioral disturbances, memory deterioration and reduced ability to understand, while long-term Pb exposure may lead to anemia (Koki et al, 2015). Chromium is known to help maintain normal blood glucose levels by enhancing the effects of insulin (Chove et al, 2006). The most widespread human effect is chromium allergy caused by exposure to body, especially Cr6+ compounds are assumed to cause cancer risk
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