Assessment of Arsenic Contamination of Natural Resources

Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid used extensively in the 19th and 20th century as part of pesticides, today, it industrial use has been drastically reduced and minimized, but still persists. However, the influence of natural arsenic occurrences on natural resources has been largely underestimated. Overexposure to arsenic can cause various diseases such as cancer of (skin, lung, bladder, and kidney), hair loss and nails deformity. This study therefore assessed the level of arsenic concentration of natural resources (water, soil and plant) in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State with a view to determine the level of arsenic in natural resources within the study area, compare the laboratory result with WHO standard, examine the relationship between arsenic level in soil and plant and examine the effects of the arsenic contamination (if any) on the people living in the area.