Determination of heavy metals and health risk assessment in drinking water in Jigjiga City, Ethiopia

Abstract Water is essential to life on Earth, yet heavy metal concentrations in it can have negative consequences on people's health. This study was designed to measure the levels of seven heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) in the drinking groundwater of Jigjiga City and asses the associated health risk. Water samples were collected from 3 boreholes and 7 tap. The levels of the heavy metals were measured using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). Chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and Incremental lifetime risk assessment (ILCR) were employed to assess the health risk. The findings showed that the concentrations of the heavy metals range from 7.77 ± 0.7 to 29.13 ± 7.22 mg/L for Fe; 0.06 ± 0.01–2.72 ± 0.29 mg/L for Zn; 0.65 ± 0.04–2.15 ± 0.63 mg/L for Cu; BDL–0.36; BDL–0.45 ± 0.24 mg/L for Pb; BDL–1.43 ± 0.15 mg/L for Cd; 0.01 ± 0–0.05 ± 0 mg/L for Cr and 0.03 ± 0.01–0.01 ± 0 mg/L for Ni. The HQ indices for heavy metals in various sampling sites were Cd > Ni > Cu > Pb > Fe > Cr > Zn for both adults and children. An elevated HQ indices for Cd emphasizing further data gathering is required. The ILCR showed that cadmium was the major risk factor for cancer particularly in children. This study will help both inhabitants and government bodies in tumbling heavy metals pollution of drinking water.