Non-cancer risk assessment from exposure to mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in boreholes and surface water in Tinga, in the Bole-Bamboi District, Ghana

Abstract

The study assessed non-cancer human health risk from exposure to mecury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) in surface and groundwater in Tinga, in the Bole-Bamboi District. A total of 42 water samples were collected for a period of six months. Mean concentration of Hg, Cd, and Pb were found to be (0.050 ± 0.04 mg/L), (0.031 ± 0.02 mg/L) and (0.07 ± 0.05 mg/L), respectively. These were all above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended guideline values for drinking water. Non-cancer human health risk as a result of exposure to Hg and Cd through ingestion of borehole water was found to be high. Hazard quotients (HQ) as a result of exposure to mercury for adults and children ranged from 2.5 to 30 through central tendency exposure (CTE) and 4.6 to 60 through reasonable maximum exposure (RME). For Cd, CTE ranged from 0.96 to 2.7 and RME ranged from 1.8 to 5.4. The HQ for exposure to Hg and Cd through ingestion of ground water exceeded the acceptable United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) value of 1.0. This implies that resident children and adults are likely to develop diseases (such as low intelligent quotient, tremor, kidney failure, increased hypertension and cardiovascular diseases) associated with long term exposure to Hg and Cd.

Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources in Two Small-Scale Mining Communities in Northern Ghana

“…Earlier studies conducted in the Nangodi catchment reported Hg concentrations that ranged from below detection limits to 0.190 mg/L [ 30 ] and also in Datuku, Hg levels ranging from 0.0002 mg/L to 0.020 mg/L were recorded [ 31 ]. Another study in Tinga reported Hg concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 0.230 mg/L [ 32 ]. A similar study conducted in Kibi traditional area, Ghana, where there is a current upsurge of artisanal mining activities, reported mean Hg concentrations of 0.010 mg/L (Obronikrom), 0.008 mg/L (Kibi-Deaf), 0.003 mg/L (Bunso) and 0.002 mg/L (Apapam) [ 33 ] that are lower that mean values of this present study.…”

“…Asamoah-Boateng [ 33 ] reported lead concentrations that ranged from 0 to 2.710 mg/L from surface waters samples in Newmont Ghana gold mining concession areas. Earlier study in Tinga reported Pb concentrations that ranged from below detection limits to 0.188 mg/L [ 32 ].…”

The usage of a zeolitic composite for quality improvement of copper contaminated mining wastewaters

“…are impacting the environment either by different extraction processes or by piled mined waste. The toxic metals pollute the nearby water bodies, when released by exposed mine surfaces, and the groundwater as fluid mine tailings leach into the soil (Cobbina et al 2013). These contaminants are often found in mining wastewaters, which discharged without prior treatment can contaminate the environment threatening human and animal health.…”

“…Among them, metal extraction and metallurgy, and also surface finishing, are the most severe (Cobbina et al 2013;Stankovic et al 2009). Even though in the last years mining operations have been upgraded with modern technology to minimize pollution, significant quantities of heavy metals such as Cu 2?…”

“…The most prevalent effects after short periods of exposure are gastrointestinal distress, nausea and vomiting (Araya et al 2003;ATSDR 2004;ECHA 2008). In the long term, the use of copper contaminated water can cause hepatic and renal failure, cancer and even death (Gupte and Mumper 2009;Cobbina et al 2013). …”