Occurrence and health implications of high concentrations of Cadmium and Arsenic in drinking water sources in selected towns of Ogun State, South West, Nigeria

Kayode, O.T and Kayode, A.A.A and Babayemi, J.O and Abam, E.O (2011) Occurrence and health implications of high concentrations of Cadmium and Arsenic in drinking water sources in selected towns of Ogun State, South West, Nigeria. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 3 (15). pp. 385-391. ISSN 2006-9820

Text CADMUIM.pdf Download (172kB)

Abstract

In this study, we report the quantification of the concentrations of Cd, Pb and As in borehole, well, stream and rain water sources in Ota and some major towns in Ogun State, Nigeria. The pH ranges from 4.8 to 6.98, 5.40 to 7.86 and 6.99 to 8.20 in boreholes, well and rain respectively. Lead was not detected at all in the drinking water sources in all the locations investigated. However, the concentrations of Cadmium and Arsenic were observed to be higher than the maximum allowable limits (MAL) in drinking water by the WHO and the Nigerian Standard for drinking water quality in some of the drinking water sources. The Cadmium levels in boreholes for Ota, Agbara, Ifo, Abeokuta and the Male hostel of BellsTech are greater than the maximum allowable limits while the metal was not detected in the boreholes of CU student hostel and the Female hostel of BellsTech. Similarly, the Arsenic levels in boreholes for Ota, Abeokuta, Agbara and Ifo are greater than the maximum allowable limits whereas the metal was not detected in the boreholes of Male and Female hostels of BellsTech and Covenant University (CU) student hostel. The health implication is that if nothing is done to remove these metals before drinking from these water sources in which the concentrations are significantly higher than the MAL, the consumers of such drinking water are at risk of the health hazards that could be caused by these metals.

Actions (login required)

View Item