Fluoride contamination in groundwater sources in Southwestern Nigeria: Assessment using multivariate statistical approach and human health risk.

The present study investigated the ionic and fluoride concentrations in tap water and its associated health risk to local dwellers of Ogun State (Abeokuta south), Nigeria. 63 samples were collected from twenty-one different locations. Results obtained revealed the mean concentration of fluoride (F) as 1.23 mg/L. Other water quality parameters such as total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), F, Fe and SO surpassed the WHO guidance for drinking water. Strong positive correlation was observed between F and TDS; F and pH; TDS and EC; TDS and Mg; TDS and SO; TDS and HCO; EC and HCO; EC and SO; Na and Cl; SO and Cl. In addition, Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) model was employed to spatially distribute the concentration of the analyzed elements within the study region. The chronic daily dose (CDD) and hazard quotient (HQ) were also used to evaluate the health risk associated with F, considering dermal and ingestion as pathways. The results revealed that the associated HQ for infants between the age range of 6-12months within about 91% of the study region surpassed the accepted HQ limit. However, the HQ for age categories 11-16years; >65years; 18-21years; 21years; 16-18years within 95.2%, 90.5%, 80.95% and 100% of the study location were less than 1. Conclusively, the HQ values obtained in this study should serve as a baseline information for water management authorities, policymakers and the society at large towards addressing these pollution issues.