Application of Hazard Quotient (HQ) for the Assessment of Potential Health Risk of Groundwater Users around Uyo Main Dumpsite

Abstract

The present work aims at assessing the hazard quotient (HQ) in the groundwater samples collected around Uyo main refuse dumpsite. For calculating the HQ, 17 parameters, namely, temperature, pH, TDS, TSS, BOD, COD, nitrate, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cl, total phosphate, sulfate, EC, DO and turbidity were considered. The HQ for pH (1.0 – 1.1), temperature (1.2), TDS (0.0), TSS (0.4 – 0.5), BOD (0.5 – 1.0), COD (0.1), nitrate (0.0 – 0.6), Cu (0.7 – 0.8), Ni (0.2), Pb (5 – 16), Cd (3.0 – 10), Cl (0.3 – 0.4), phosphate (1.4 – 1.9), sulfate (0.0), EC (0.1), DO (1.6 – 1.9) and turbidity (0.2). The HQ of temperature, pH, DO, phosphate, Pb, and Cd in water samples were all greater than unity and thus posed a potential health risk for human oral consumption. The present study revealed that groundwater around Uyo village road waste dumpsite poses a health risk to groundwater resource users due to groundwater contamination by the leachate. Monitoring of this site is recommended as well as research by biomedical experts to reveal the rigorous adverse impacts that physio-chemical, and heavy metal contamination of groundwater might induce in humans, particularly among individuals in vulnerable populations. Also, the local authorities should be made aware of such health risks and provide potable water facilities either by treating the water or find alternative sources for drinking.