Studies Evaluating the Health Risks Associated with Heavy Metals and their Contamination on Ilahun River

This investigation was conducted on Ilahun River in Osun State, Nigeria to ascertain the heavy metals present in the river due to mining activities carried out on the river and the health risk associated with the metals.The physico-chemical and heavy metal parameters were analyzed.Twelve samples were collected between April and July 2024 and evaluated using standard processes.Concentrations of heavy metals were verified utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy.The values of pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total Alkalinity, Chloride, turbidity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and hardness during the sampling period ranged between 6. 3-7.6, 28-32 0 C, 70.3-628.3/cm, 37.2-82.7 mg/L, 0.83-66 mg/L, 1.06-7.25 NTU, 176.3-308.6 ppm, 4.0-9.76mg/L and 77.6-128.5 mg/L respectively.The parameters were within the standard limits of World Health Organization and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency set.The highest heavy metal contaminations were recorded in May and the trend observed in the metals are As > Ag > Al > Zn > Mn > V > B > Cd > Co > Cu > Pb > Th > U > Ni > Cr > Se, the range of the essential metal are Ca > Na > Mg > K > Fe.Values of the listed metals exceed the standard limit.The health risk assessment of the metals conducted showed a high possibility of both cancer-inducing and non-cancer-inducing effect of heavy metals via the oral and dermal contact route in both adults and children, having more effect on children than adults.