Health risk associated with exposure to atrazine residue in drinking water, soil and cassava (Manihot esculenta) from seven hard-to-reach farm settlements in Ago-Iwoye, Southwest Nigeria.

Studies on health risks associated with exposure to atrazine have largely focused on a single exposure pathway, less attention has been given to its potential integral risks resulting from multiple exposures. This study evaluated health risks associated with exposure to atrazine residues in drinking water, soil and cassava from seven hard-to-reach farm settlements in Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. Drinking water, soils and cassava tuber collected from each farm settlement were analysed for atrazine residues using standard technique. The mean values obtained were used to evaluate exposure-related carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks. Atrazine in soil ranged from 0.19 to 0.380 mg/kg. While a range of 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L was detected in stream water, cassava recorded a range of 0.004 to 0.008 mg/kg. Hazard Index associated with water and soil exposure was below the risk limit. Although the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) associated with soil was below the threshold risk limit, the ILCR associated with water exposure was slightly above the limit. The EDI and HRI associated with cassava consumption were below the threshold values for adults, but not for children. Exposure to water or cassava, but not soil, from the farm settlements may pose high risks, especially to children.