Water Recreation and Children Exposure to the Risks of Heavy Metal: In Manyera River, Niger State, Nigeria

Musediq Olufemi Lawal, Osun State University
Timileyin Olajuwon, University of the Western Cape

Recreation use of inland and marine water is increasing in many countries. It is estimated that foreign and local tourists together spend around two billion days annually at coastal recreational resorts. Recreational use of the water environment therefore offers a significant financial benefit to the associated communities but also has implications for health and for the environment. Water-based recreation and tourism also expose individuals to a variety of health hazards, ranging from exposure to the potentiality of contaminated foodstuff and potable water supplies to exposure to sunshine and ultraviolet (UV) light and bathing in polluted waters. The health risks posed by poor quality recreational waters are generally related to infections acquired while bathing this, relatively little is known about the medical effects of water-based recreation to the users in Nigeria particularly rural environments. This study therefore becomes necessary to fill the vacuum thus created.