Spatial Analysis of Agrochemical Application and Risks to Water Quality and Community Health in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract The large number of agrochemical pollutants that are today found in our environment, including in the air, soil, and water, and that are primarily caused by human activity, has caused many issues for the residents. Environmentally susceptible places for agrochemicals include water bodies near agricultural fields, groundwater near the surface, habitats for other animals, and endangered species. It is possible for drinking water to get contaminated and skin exposure to rise when agricultural chemicals are employed in close proximity to residential areas. The study investigated the possibility of water pollution and the vulnerability of rural farmers to agrochemical toxicity. Ewekoro and Ikenne Local Government Area were randomly selected for the study. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) device was used to take the coordinates of farms where agrochemicals are applied and the residential buildings in close proximity to farm fields. Descriptive statistics, digital elevation model and near tool analysis (ArcGIS), atomic absorption spectrophotometer and human health risk analysis were tools employed for analysis in the study. The findings showed that the water bodies were highly contaminated with heavy metals with consequences of the residents to suffer carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic adverse effects. The study recommends advocacy campaign on safe use of agrochemicals, appropriate water use to reduce risk to human health and increase biodiversity sustainability while building of local water purifying facilities in the rural communities for safe water consumption is encouraged.