Seasonal variation and health risk assessment of groundwater quality in the vicinity of dumpsites in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria.

Human health risks associated with the consumption of water from groundwater sources in the vicinity of dumpsites in Orogwe, Nekede, and Ihiagwa in Owerri West were investigated for adults and children in this study. Groundwater samples were collected within 50-500 meters from solid waste dumpsites and subjected to In-situ analysis for fast-changing parameters such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids using a Hanna multi-meter Probe. Heavy metals were measured using an Atomic absorption spectrophotometer while other parameters were examined using the American Public Health Association Method (APHA). Low pH levels were observed in the study area for wet and dry seasons. Conductivity levels and dissolved solids showed higher mean values in the wet season than dry season. The pollution index result was significant (=1) for Nekede and Ihiagwa in the dry season. Exposure doses were higher in children than adults while the non-carcinogenic results ranged from medium to high risk in all samples except the control point in the wet season. Nickel, iron, and lead had a high percentage contribution to the hazard risks in both seasons. Significant carcinogenic risk (>1.0E-4) for children recorded at Ihiagwa in the dry season is of great concern. In general, the groundwater quality in the vicinity of dumpsites was of poor quality (>100) and more vulnerable in the wet season than the dry season from the water quality index (WQI) result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]