Assessment of Atrazine Residue in Drinking Water, Soil, Cassava Tuber, and Associated Health Risks From Three Rural and Neglected Farm Settlements in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Studies on risks associated with atrazine have largely focused on a single exposure pathway, paying less attention to potential integrated risks from multiple avenues. Health risks associated with exposure to atrazine residues in drinking water, soil, and cassava from three farm settlements in Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria, were evaluated. Drinking water, soil, and cassava tubers collected from each farm settlement were analyzed for atrazine residues using a standard method. The mean values of atrazine obtained were used to evaluate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with its exposure in adults and children. Atrazine in soil ranged from 0.120 to 0.310 mg/kg. Stream and well water recorded a range of 0.020–0.070 mg/L, but cassava recorded a range of 0.003–0.005 mg/kg. The hazard index for children and adults exposed to water and soil was below the risk limit. Although the incremental lifetime cancer risk for soil was below the threshold risk limit in adults and children, it was slightly above the limit for water. The human risk index associated with cassava consumption was below the threshold values for adults (0.35), but not for children (1.65). Water or cassava exposure, excluding soil, from the farm settlements may pose high risks, especially to children.