Heavy Metals Concentrations in Groundwater, Rivers and Dams in Tamale Metropolis and Surrounding Villages in the Northern Region of Ghana and Assessment of Potential Health Risk.

Abstract

Introduction: Contamination of the environment with metals is widespread in many developing countries due to increased and unregulated human activities such as excavation and road construction, quarrying, industrial and manufacturing activities, and mining. Overexposure to toxic metals could have negative health implications on human health, and is associated with chronic illnesses such as renal diseases, liver disorder, brain disorder, and various others. Objective: To assess the physico-chemical parameters and metal concentrations in groundwater, dams and rivers and to estimate the potential health risk. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the concentrations of metals in wells, dams and rivers within the Tamale Metropolis and its surrounding communities. The water and soil quality parameters were measured in situ using EZDO 7200 multi meter. The concentration of heavy metals was measured using PINAAcle 900T Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The human health risk for the metals were determined by estimating carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk.