ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK OF HOSPITAL WASTEWATER IN GENERAL HOSPITAL, IGBOKODA, ONDO STATE
Abstract
The increasing volume of hospital activities has led to a rise in the generation of hospital wastewater, which often contains a complex mixture of chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical pollutants. This study focuses on the assessment of pollution levels and potential human health risks associated with hospital wastewater. Wastewater samples were collected from General hospital, Igbokoda, Ondo State and were subjected to comprehensive physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Parameters such as pH, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentrations of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured using standard procedures. Microbiological evaluation targeted the presence of coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among others. Result reviewed that 5.6 × 103 CFU/ml, 3.6 × 104 CFU/ml, 2.2 × 105 CFU/ml, 2.4 × 102 CFU/ml, and 17 MPN/100ml for Total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), Total coliform (TC) and Escherichia coli was present in the sample which indicate fecal contamination. The results indicated that the wastewater exhibited elevated levels of BOD, COD, and heavy metals beyond permissible limits set by regulatory bodies, pointing to a significant organic and inorganic pollutant load. Results revealed the water pollution index to be 19.4 suggesting seriously pollution. The total coliform and Escherichia coli counts surpassed safe thresholds, suggesting contamination with pathogenic microorganisms that could pose serious health risks to humans, particularly through exposure or improper disposal. The study highlights the urgent need for proper hospital wastewater treatment and monitoring to mitigate environmental pollution and safeguard public health. Additionally, the Water Quality Index (WQI) of the samples analyzed indicated poor water quality, further underscoring the potential ecological and health hazards. Therefore, it is recommended that health institutions adopt sustainable waste management practices and that environmental protection agencies enforce stricter compliance standards.
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