ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK LEVEL OF GROUNDWATER AROUND CONSTRUCTION SITE IN UBETA COMMUNITY, AHOADA WEST LGA, RIVERS STATE
Abstract
This study assessed the potential human health risks level of groundwater sampled around construction site in Ubeta community, Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria. During the 2025 rainy season. groundwater samples were collected from two boreholes over three months and analyzed for heavy metal content (Pb, Fe, Cd, Cr, As, Ni, Hg, Cu, Zn) using standard methods. The heavy metal contents were compared against Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, while human health risks were evaluated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency risk assessment model for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects via ingestion and dermal exposure pathways for adults and children. The results revealed that heavy metal contents were within permissible limits for both NSDWQ and WHO throughout the monitoring period. Health risk assessment showed hazard quotients (HQ) and hazard indices (HI) for all the sampled heavy metals were below 1 while their lifetime carcinogenic risks were also lower than 10⁻⁶ for all heavy metal investigated. The study concluded that despite episodic perturbations, the shallow aquifer’s high recharge rate and natural attenuation mechanisms effectively preserved the potability of groundwater. This also highlight the resilience of high-permeability coastal aquifers to construction impacts when basic pollution controls are in place, supporting sustainable infrastructure development in the Niger Delta while contributing to SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
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