Title : Occurrence of cadmium in boreholes water in Yenagoa metropolis of Bayelsa state and the toxicological risk implication
Abstract:
The occurrence of heavy metals in boreholes water at a concentration above recommended level poses serious toxicological risk to public health. This is due to the toxicity of heavy metals such as Mercury, Lead, cadmium and others. Cadmium is very toxic to human health. It is scientifically shown to have toxicological effect on kidney, lungs, liver as well as bones. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of cadmium in boreholes water in Epie and Attissa districts within Yenagoa metropolis of Bayelsa State South-South Nigeria and the toxicological implications. Results of the study show that in a Epie district, fifty one (51) boreholes water samples collected from seventeen communities in Epie district, 43 samples have cadmium concentration below or within the recommended limit(0.003mg/l) while 9 samples (17.6% ) have cadmium concentration above the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria standard limit (0.003mg/l). In Attissa district, 77.8% of all the water samples collected had cadmium concentration higher than the acceptable limit. The average percentage of cadmium concentration aver acceptable limit in Epie district is 55.5%. While the average percentage of cadmium concentration above acceptable limit in Attissa District is 724%. Conclusively, the occurrence of cadmium in boreholes water in Yenagoa metropolis especially in Attissa district potent serious toxicological risks to residents of Yenagoa. Therefore government should provide pipe born water to residence of yenagoa metropolis, in the hinterland and establish central analytical laboratory in order protect public health and wellbeing of the citizenry.
