Human health risk impact assessment of some heavy metals in groundwater around abandoned barite mine sites in parts of Benue state, Nigeria

An evaluation of the impacts of various heavy metals in the water on the hazard to human health was undertaken to ascertain whether the water from hand-dug wells close to abandoned barite mines in the research region was safe for human consumption. Analyses of the health risks connected to heavy metal exposure in humans through diet, skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion are frequently used to assess these concerns. Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Barium (Ba), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc were evaluated for the research area's Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Hazard Quotients (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) (Zn). Four (4) water samples from hand-dug wells close to abandoned barite mining sites were tested for heavy metals. The Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) for adults and children were calculated using non-carcinogenic risks. The skin, the lungs, and the lips are the three different entry points for exposure. Calculate the exposure as if it were a chronic daily use. Hazard Index (HI) values for all of the PTEs (Cr, Cd, Ba, Mn, Pb, As, Ni, and Zn) evaluated in this study ranged from 7.78x10-5 to 4.97x10-2 in the water from the hand-dug wells. The findings suggest that a non-carcinogenic adverse health risk threshold of 1 is appropriate. Prolonged exposure to low quantities of heavy metals may result in mortality, deformities, delayed development, and diminished fertility. Organs may be quickly eliminated by acute exposure to large amounts of heavy metals.