RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRACE METAL BY WATER LEAF IN DUMPSITE AT OLD CHRIST EMBASSEY, OFF ABA ROAD, IKOT EKPENE

Abstract The risk assessment of trace metal via the consumption of Talinum triangulare at dumpsite and control site at old Christ Embassey, off Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene was carried out using models stipulated by USEPA, (1999) and the level of the trace metal in Talinum triangulare was determined using flame adsorption atomic spectroscopic (AAS). The results for the analysis were as follows. Fe (5.690 ± 0.08 - 16.372 ± 0.06 mg/kg), Cr (0.163 ± 0.05 - 0.469 ± 0.01 mg/kg) Cr (1.410 ± 0.06 mg/kg -4.135 ± 0.07 mg/kg), Cd (0.227 ± 0.06 - 0.646 ± 0.03 mg/kg), Zn (3.588 ± 0.05 - 10.342 ± 0.09 mg/kg), while Pb (0.162 ± 0.06 - 0.460 ± 0.03 mg/kg). The range for the DIM was as 0.01 - 0.41 at the dumpsite and 0.006 - 0.16 at the control site, while the HQ was 0.25 to 40 at the dumpsite and 0.10 -13.3 at the control. The HI at the control was 21.13 and 67.77 at the dumpsite. Pb, Cd and Cr obtained from waste dump site and control site had hazard quotients (HQ) values greater than 1. The results of the study revealed higher trace metal concentration in waste dumpsite site when compare to control soil. Also, the HQ values at the dumpsite were higher than values at the control sites. All the investigated trace metal were higher than the WHO standard, except copper, hence consumption of Talinum triangulare from abandoned waste dumpsite should be discouraged due to human health risk concern.