TITLE:
Assessment of Ecological and Human Health Risks of Toxic Metals in Water from Public Swimming Pools within Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Raymond Ahulle Wuana, Marcelinus Chinedu Ibeh, Ishaq Shaibu Eneji, Adams Udoji Itodo, Chinyere Veronica Ogbodo
KEYWORDS:
Toxic Metals, Ecological Risk, Human Health Risk, Swimming Pools, Poisoning
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: Water in public swimming pools within Abuja, Nigeria was investigated to determine the levels of toxic metals and assess the potential ecological and human health risks. Composite water samples were collected by simple random sampling, from thirteen (13) swimming pools located in hotels and recreational centres within Abuja and a control sample from the municipal water supply line. They were analyzed for heavy metals concentration (Cr, Pb, Hg, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, As and Cd), using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (AES). Analytical data obtained were compared with WHO/NSDWQ standards for recreational waters. Potential human health and ecological risks from the samples were evaluated by calculating specific indices. Results showed elevated levels of Hg in all pools except RVR hotel pool, which had a threshold value of 0.0010 mg/L. The highest concentration of Hg (0.012 mg/L) was found in SH, followed by 0.011 mg/L in S-38-H. The level of Cd detected in SH was 0.0026 mg/L, an edge close to the WHO limit of 0.003 mg/L. Other levels of Cd and other toxic metals were below limit. Ecological risk index (
E
r
i
) for the toxic metals in the water samples was below 30, showing no overall risk of toxicity. The human health risk index (HI) was