Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Exposure At NYSC Orientation Camp, Katsina: A Study of Carcinogenic and Non Carcinogenic Effect

Abstract

Heavy metals are persistent environmental contaminants that pose significant health risks to humans. This study investigated the concentrations and potential health impacts of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in soils from the NYSC Orientation Camp, Katsina. The concentrations of the five metals were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). The mean concentrations followed the order Co > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd, with average values of 0.160 ± 0.0202, 0.554 ± 0.688, 0.104 ± 0.297, 0.0280 ± 0.0288, and 0.00231 ± 0.00182 mg/kg, respectively. All measured levels were below the WHO/FAO permissible limits, indicating generally low contamination. Non-carcinogenic risk estimates, calculated through the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways, were all below the safety threshold of 1.0 for both children and adults, suggesting lower risk of non-carcinogenic effects. However, the carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that the Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) for Cr in children reached a maximum of 1.29 × 10⁻⁵, exceeding the acceptable limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶, indicating a potential cancer risk for children exposed to Cr in the study area. Our results emphasize the necessity of interventions to minimize long term exposure risks and ensure the well-being of vulnerable groups at the camp.