Exploring health hazards from toxic elements in well water samples within prism steel rolling mill, Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria

The Prism steel rolling mill, Ikirun, Osun State may contaminate well water, the area's main potable water source. This necessitated assessment of physical and chemical properties and possibly hazardous elements in well water samples. Standard methods and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) were used to analyze physicochemical status and Potentially Toxic Element concentrations (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) in ten well water samples. Physicochemical parameters ranged as follows: pH 6.64-7.38, temperature 27.2-29.2°C, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 0.99-1.60 mg L-1, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 1.05-1.65 mg L-1. Heavy metal concentrations decreased in order Cd > Ni > Zn > Cr, with ranges: Cd 0.04-0.31 mg L-1, Cr 0.09-0.67 mg L-1, Zn ND-0.04 mg L-1, Ni ND-0.16 mg L-1. Pb was below detection limits. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment indicated potential adverse health effects and unacceptable risks for local inhabitants from well water consumption. However, carcinogenic risk assessment showed no cancer risk.