Determination of heavy metals concentration in some sachet water commonly in Abuja Municipal Council, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study was undertaken to assess heavy metal concentration in some sachet water commonly consumed in Abuja Municipal Council, Nigeria. This was done by measuring heavy metal concentration using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer at the advance chemistry laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHETSCO), FCT, then estimating carcinogenic and non carcinogenic exposure, contamination factor, degree of contamination and pollution load index. The samples were all obtained randomly within Abuja Metropolis. The carcinogenic and non- carcinogenic exposure are far less than 1. The concentration of the heavy metals in sachet water for Cd, Mn, Pb, Cu and Zn are 0.019 mg/l, 0.173 mg/l, 0.219 mg/l, 1.250 mg/l and 0.0760 mg/l respectively. The value of Cd, Pb exceed the recommend standard of 0.01 set by WHO (2008) while the concentration of Mn, Cu and Zn are below the permissible limit of 0.5 mg/l, 2 mg/l and 5 mg/l. The estimated heavy metal risk resulting from exposure to Cd and the estimated concentration of Pb in this study, was higher than the acceptable limit range provided by WHO. This indicates adverse health effects for people who consume sachet water in Abuja municipal council.