Heavy metal hazards of sachet water in Nigeria.
The authors assessed sachet water samples sold in Eastern Nigeria. Using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, they analyzed levels of lead, cadmium, copper, and nickel. They also analyzed other parameters, such as nitrates, sulfates, chlorides, salinity, total hardness, biological oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and pH level. Lead levels ranged from 0.002 to 0.036 mg/L in the samples; 5 samples (12.2%) had lead levels above the maximum contaminant level (MCL; 0.015 mg/L). Lead was not detectable in 20 samples (48.8%). Cadmium levels ranged from 0.002 to 0.036 mg/L and exceeded the MCL of 0.005 mg/L in 8 samples (19.5%); it was not detectable in 23 samples (56.1%). Copper was not detected in 2 (0.05%) of the samples. Its range was between 0.018 and 1.401 mg/L. Two samples (0.05%) had copper levels above the MCL (1.30 mg/L). Nickel levels ranged from 0.003 to 0.050 mg/l. The biological oxygen demand of the samples ranged from 3.20 to 36.80 mg/L. Other parameters were normal. The authors found that some of the sachet waters contain heavy metals, and consumers may be exposed to hazards.
Orisakwe
Orish Ebere
OE
Toxicology Unit in the Department of Pharmacology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria. eorish@aol.com
Igwilo
Innocent O
IO
Afonne
Onyenmechi Johnson
OJ
Maduabuchi
John-Moses Ugwuona
JM
Obi
Ejeatuluchukwu
E
Nduka
John C
JC
D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D009532:Nickel / Q000633:toxicity; D009549:Nigeria; D011786:Quality Control; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel