By Tina George, Minna
A scientist with the Department of Physics of University of Ilorin, Orosun Muyiwa has warned mining communities in Kwara of cancer risk and other human health diseases, as a result of arsenic pollution.
According to a research titled, “Assessment of Arsenic and its associated health risks due to mining activities in parts of north-central Nigeria: Probabilistic approach using Monte Carlos”, carried out by the scientist in 2021, the probability of cancer occurrence in the communities, is because of the arsenic pollution from the mineral exploration activities that are frequently dumped in the immediate environment in heaps.
“Therefore, considering the rate at which these mining activities are progressing unabated, in no distant time Kwara state might experience afflictions similar to that of Bangladesh if the activities are not investigated, monitored and controlled”, the study stated.
In 2017, Kwara state was reported to have the highest record of illegal mining activities in Africa as several illegal miners were arrested by security agencies.
“Mining of Ores such as gold, tin, coal, beryllium have been associated with the enhancement of arsenic and other heavy metals in the environment because it involves the extraction of huge amounts of earth that usually contains various amounts of these chemicals.”
The study estimated the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk of arsenic in soil, water and guinea corn from the mining areas in the state to ascertain the safeness or risk of the populace in the areas.
The analysis revealed evidence of pollution due to the mining activities, which was corroborated by the results of the pollution evaluation indices.
“The results of the Average Daily Intakes reveals that ingestion pathway is the dominant pathway of exposure.
“While most of the Hazard Index estimated for the soil and grain samples are much less than one, the Hazard Indices estimated for the well waters is about one.
“The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk reveals high cancer risks above the acceptable range for the water samples. This high cancer risk was confirmed by the mean, P 5% and P 95% cumulative probabilities using the Monte Carlo simulation,” the study further reveals.
The scientist advocate that “detailed and periodic investigation of the concentration of arsenic and other heavy metals should be carried out and statutory requirements for mining of minerals in Kwara state and Nigeria be enforced following international regulations.c
