Cadmium and lead content of packaged water and water boreholes in Calabar metropolis

Abstract

Cadmium and lead concentrations were determined in forty water samples from different locations in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria using the flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS 210 VGP). Twenty of these were from boreholes and twenty were from packaged water also known as pure water. The mean cadmium concentrations of boreholes and packaged water samples were 19.00 ± 17.00µg/l and 0.50 ± 0.80µg/l respectively while the lead concentrations were 25.00 ± 24.00µg/l and 1.50 ± 2.60µg/l respectively. The lead and cadmium concentrations of borehole water samples were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those from packaged water. The mean cadmium and lead concentrations of packaged water samples were below the WHO drinking water guidelines limits whereas those from boreholes were higher. Packaged water samples are relatively cadmium and lead free and are therefore safe for drinking.


Keywords: cadmium, lead, boreholes, packaged water

Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 5(1), 2005: 33-36