Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Toxic elements in groundwater of Lagos and Ogun States, Southwest, Nigeria and their human health risk assessment

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A good quality drinking water is essential for human survival. However, a large percentage of the populations in most developing countries (Nigeria inclusive) do not have access to potable water. This study was therefore conducted to assess the extent of risk arising from consumption of toxic elements in groundwater samples collected from Lagos and Ogun States, Southwest, Nigeria. Twelve toxic elements concentrations (As, Mn, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Al, Ti, V, Hg, Li, and Sn) were determined from 170 groundwater samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and the physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. The pH results revealed that most of the water samples were slightly acidic. Of the twelve toxic elements, only Mn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and Al have concentrations higher than the WHO recommended limit in drinking water. The average dose of Mn and Al consumed daily from groundwater by an adult in Lagos state is 3.4 and 23.2 (μg/kg body weight), respectively. Similarly, an adult in Ogun State consumed an average daily dose of 6.09 and 25 (μg/kg body weight) Mn and Al, respectively. A greater threat was posed to children and infants. The order for risk of cancer in groundwater from Lagos State was Pb > Cr > As > Cd while the order in Ogun State groundwater was Cr > Cd > As > Pb. The relative high concentrations of Mn, Al, and Pb obtained in this study can be attributed to industrial and anthropogenic activities in the study area. Treatment of groundwater before consumption is recommended to avoid possible adverse cumulative effect. Improved waste disposal methods and regular monitoring of toxic elements in groundwater of the study area should be adopted to safeguard human health.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acharyya, S. K., Chakraborty, P., Lahiri, S., Raymahashay, B. C., Guha, S., & Bhowmilk, A. (1999). Arsenic poisoning in the Ganges Delta. Nature, 401(6753), 545.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adekunle, M., Adetunji, M. T., Gbadebo, A. M., & Banjoko, O. B. (2007). Assessment of ground water quality in a typical rural settlement in south west Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 4, 307–318.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, R. A. (1994). Nutritional and toxicological aspects of chromium intake: an overview. In W. Mertz, C. O. Abernathy, & S. S. Olin (Eds.), Risk assessment of essential elements (pp. 187–196). Washington DC: ILSI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • APHA. (1998). American Public Health Association Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water (19th ed., pp. 4–67). Washington DC: APHA, AWWA, WEF. 99 - 144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armah, F. A., Kuitunen, M., Luginaah, I., & Mkandawire, P. (2012). Non occupational health risk assessment from exposure to chemical contaminants in the gold mining environment of Tarkwa, Ghana. Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 7, 181–195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arowolo, T. A. (2005). Seasonal variation of nitrate-N in surface and groundwater of south western Nigeria: a preliminary survey. Chemistry and Ecology, 21, 83–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asubiojo, O. I., Nkono, N. A., Ogunsua, A. O., Oluwole, A. F., Ward, N. I., Akanle, O. A., & Spyrou, N. M. (1997). Trace elements in drinking and ground water samples in southern Nigeria. The Science of the Total Environment, 208, 1–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayedun H. (2012). Groundwater contamination by metals, trace and rare-earth elements from basement and sedimentary areas of Ogun and Lagos State, Nigeria. A Ph. D Thesis. Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta. pp. 248–284.

  • Barceloux, D. G. (1999). Chromium. Clinical Toxicology, 37, 173–194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batayneh, A. T. (2010). Heavy metals in water springs of the Yarmouk Basin, North Jordan and their potentiality in health risk assessment. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 5, 997–1003.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baykov, B. D., Stoyanov, M. P., & Gugova, M. L. (1996). Cadmium and lead bioaccumulation in male chickens for high food concentrations. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, 54, 155–159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, P., & Kulshreshtha, K. (2004). Chromium accumulation and toxicity in aquatic vascular plants. The Botanical Review, 70, 313–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Programme on Chemical Safety IPCS (1988). The 33rd meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food additives, Series 24.

  • Cobbina, S. J., Nkuah, D., Tom-Dery, D., & Obiri, S. (2013). Non-cancer risk assessment from exposure to mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in boreholes and surface water in Tinga, in the Bole-Bamboi District, Ghana. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 5, 29–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Council-NRC National Research. (1983). Selenium in nutrition report of the subcommittee on selenium. Committee on animal nutrition board on agriculture. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, W. P., & Saigo, B. W. (1997). Environmental science, a global concern (4th ed.). New York: WMC Brown Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, S. N., & De-Wiest, R. J. M. (1966). Hydrogeology. New York: Wiley. 463 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dipankar, D., Amit, C., Badal, K. M., Gautam, S., & Dipankar, C. (1995). Arsenic in groundwater in six districts of West Bengal, India, the biggest arsenic calamity in the world: part 2 arsenic concentrations in drinking water, hair nail, urine, skin scale and liver tissue biopsy of the affected people. Analyst, 120, 917–924.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drever, J. I. (1988). The geochemistry of natural waters. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, K. M., & Aschner, M. (2003). Manganese neurotoxicity and glutamate—GABA interaction. Neurochemistry International, 43, 475–480.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fatoki, O. S., Lujiza, N., & Ogunfowokan, A. O. (2003). Levels of Cd, Hg and Zn in some surface waters from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Water South Africa, 29, 375–380.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garrels, R. M. (1967). Genesis of some groundwater from igneous rocks. In P. H. Abelson (Ed.), Researchers in geochemistry (pp. 405–421). New York: John Willey and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldhaber, S. B. (2003). Trace element risk assessment: essentiality vs. toxicity. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 38, 232–242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green, K., Broome, L., Heinze, D., & Johnson, S. (2001). Long distance transport of arsenic by migrating Bogong moth from agricultural lowlands to mountains ecosystem. Victorian Naturalist, 118, 112–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallenbeck, W. H. (1994). Human health effects of exposure to cadmium. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 40, 136–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holl, W. H., Bartosch, C. H., Zhao, X., & He, S. (2002). Elimination of trace heavy metals from drinking water using weakly basic anion exchange. Jahrgang Heft, 3, 5–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homoncik, S. C., MacDonald, A. M., Heal, K. V., Dochartaigh, B. E. O., & Ngwenya, B. T. (2010). Manganese concentration in Scottish groundwater. The Science of the Total Environment, 408, 2467–2473.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howsam P. (1989). Water wells: Monitoring maintenance rehabilitation. Cambridge unpublished report Lobatse, Bostwana. Report No BGSD/8/76.

  • Ikem, A., Osibanjo, O., Sridhar, M. K. C., & Sobande, A. (2002). Evaluation of groundwater quality characteristics near two waste sites in Ibadan and Lagos, Nigeria. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 14, 307–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imamura, T. (2007). History of public crises in Japan. Journal of Public Health Policy, 2, 221–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JECFA. (1982). Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and ontaminants. 26th Report. WHO Technical Report Series No.683, Geneva, pp. 31–32.

  • Kehinde-Phillips, O. (1990). Geology of Ogun State. In S. O. Onakomaiya, K. Oyesiku, & J. Jegede (Eds.), Ogun State in maps (pp. 12–13). Ibadan Nigeria: Rex Charles Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kondakis, X. G., Markris, N., Leotsinidis, M., & Papapetropoulos, T. (1989). Possible health effects of high manganese concentrations in drinking water. Archives of Environmental Health, 44, 175–178.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Korfali, S. I., & Davies, B. E. (2005). Seasonal variations of trace metal chemical forms in bed sediments of a karstic river in Lebanon: implications for self-purification. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 27, 385–395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leita, L., Margon, A., Pastrello, A., Arcon, I., Contin, M., & Mosetti, D. (2009). Soil humic acids may favour the persistence of hexavalent chromium in soil. Environmental Pollution, 157, 862–1866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, P. Y., & Qian, H. (2011). Human health risk assessment for chemical pollutants in drinking water source in Shizuishan City, Northwest China. Iran Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 8, 41–48.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S. S., & Tian, K. C. (2008). Health risk assessment of chemical pollutants in drinking water. Journal of Chongqing Medical University, 33, 450–453.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, B., & Helmer, R. (1992). Surveillance of drinking water quality in rural areas. Longman scientific and technical (pp. 34–56). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd-Smith M, Wickens J. (2000). Mapping the hotspots: DDT-contaminated dumpsites in Australia. Glob Pesti Camp (10)1

  • Longe, E. O., & Enekwechi, L. O. (2007). Investigation on potential groundwater impacts and Influence of local hydrogeology on natural attenuation of leachate at a municipal land fill. International Journal of Science and Technology, 4, 133–140.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, F. F., Cabrera, C., Lorenzo, M. L., & Lopez, M. C. (2000). Aluminium levels in spices and aromatic herbs. The Science of the Total Environment, 257, 191–197.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Momodu, M. A., & Anyakora, C. A. (2010). Heavy metal contamination of groundwater: the Surulere case study. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2, 39–43.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Momot, O., & Synzynys, B. (2005). Toxic aluminium and heavy metals in groundwater of middle Russia: health risk assessment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2, 214–218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ni, B., Wang, H. B., Li, X. D., & Lrang, J. (2010). Water environmental risk assessment in lake sources of drinking water. Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23, 74–79.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nickson, R. T., McArthur, J. M., Ravenscroft, P., Burgess, W. G., & Ahmed, K. M. (2000). Mechanism of arsenic release to groundwater, Bangladesh and West Bengal. Applied Geochemistry, 15, 403–413.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishijo, M., Nakagawa, H., Morikawa, Y., Tabata, M., Senma, M., & Miura, K. (1995). Mortality of inhabitants in an area polluted by cadmium: 15 year follow up. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 52, 181–184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nkono, N. A., & Asubiojo, O. I. (1997). Elemental composition of drinking water supplies in three states in south eastern Nigeria. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 227, 117–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nwidu, L. L., Ebong, O. O., & Waroso, B. A. (2006). The health implication of under-groundwater used for domestic consumption in an oil producing area (Port Harcourt City), Nigeria. International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Science, 2, 39–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obiefuna, G. I., & Orazulike, D. M. (2010). Physicochemical characteristics of groundwater quality from Yola, Northeastern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 14, 5–11.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oladimeji, M. O., Abata, E., Dawodu, M. O., & Ipeaiyeda, A. R. (2009). Effect of refuse dumps on the physico-chemical properties of surface water, groundwater and soil in Owo township, Ondo State, Nigeria. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, 91, 979–987.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oluyemi, E. A., Makinde, W. O., & Oladipo, A. A. (2009). Potential groundwater contamination with toxic metals around refuse dumps in some parts of Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, 91, 933–940.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orebiyi, E. O., Awomeso, J. A., Idowu, O. A., Martins, O., Oguntoke, O., & Taiwo, A. M. (2010). Assessment of pollution hazards of shallow well water in Abeokuta and Environs, Southwest, Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 6, 50–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paustenbach, D. J. (Ed.). (2002). Human and ecological risk assessment: theory and practice. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pokkamthanam, A. S., Riederer, A. M., & Anchala, R. (2011). Risk assessment of ingestion of arsenic-contaminated water among adults in Bandlaguda, India. Journal of Health and Pollution, 1, 8–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raji, M. I. O., Ibrahim, Y. K. E., & Ehinmidu, J. O. (2010). Physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal levels in drinking water sources in Sokoto metropolis in northwest Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 14, 81–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raju, N. J., Shukla, U. K., & Ram, P. (2011). Hydrogeochemistry for the assessment of groundwater quality in Varanasi: a fast-urbanizing center in Uttar Pradesh, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 173, 279–300.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishnan, S., Slochana, K. N., Selvaraj, T., Rahim, A. A., Lakshmi, M., & Arunagiri, K. (1995). Smoking of beedies and cataract: cadmium and vitamin C in lens and blood. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 79, 202–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schilling, K. E., & Wolter, C. F. (2007). A GIS-based groundwater travel time model to evaluate stream nitrate concentration reductions from land use change. Environmental Geology, 53, 433–443.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sekhar, K. C., Chary, N. S., Kamala, C. T., Rao, J. V., Balaram, V., & Anjaneyulu, Y. (2003). Risk assessment and pathway study of arsenic in industrially contaminated sites of Hyderabad: a case study. Environment International, 29, 601–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SFH—Society for Family Health (2013). SFH Safe Water Initiatiave. www. Sfhnigeria. Org/what-we-do/clean. Accessed on 27th May 2013.

  • Stern, B. R. (2010). Essentiality and toxicity in copper health risk assessment: overview, update and regulatory considerations. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A., 73, 114–127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Storey, E., & Masters, C. L. (1995). Amyloid, aluminium and the aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 163, 256–259.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sunilson, J. A., Regitha, J., & Anandarajagopal, G. (2009). Cytotoxic effect of Cayratia carnosa leaves on human breast cancer cell lines. International Journal of Cancer Research, 5, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Triantafyllidou, S., Parks, J., & Edwards, M. (2007). Lead particles in potable water. Journal of the American Water Works Association, 99, 107–117.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Triantafyllidou, S., Lambrinidon, Y., & Edwards, M. (2009). Lead (Pb) exposure through drinking water: lesson to be learned from recent US experience. Global NEST Journal, 11, 341–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi, R. M., Mahapatra, S., Raghunath, R., Vinod-Kumar, A., & Sadasnan, S. (2002). Daily intake of aluminium by adult population of Mumbai, India. The Science of the Total Environment, 2229, 73–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, E. J. (1971). Trace elements in human and animal nutrition (3rd ed.). New York: New York Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNFPA—United Nations Population Fund. (2010). Nigeria population projection. unfpa.org/Ogun html, Nigeria villages quare.com/…/5912-un-Lagos-Population-hit12.4 m-2015-ahtm. 2010. Accessed on 11th May, 2011.

  • USEPA—US Environmental Protection Agency. (1996). Manganese. Available from:www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0373.htm. Acesssed on 11/09/2010.

  • USEPA-US Environmental Protection Agency. (2001). Integrated risk information system (IRIS). Washington: National Centre for Environmental Assessment. Office of Research and Development.

  • USEPA-US Environmental Protection Agency. (2002). Integrated risk information system (IRIS) database. Washington DC: National Center for Environmental Assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA-US Environmental Protection Agency. (2007). Framework for metal risk assessment. EPA 120-R-07-001 Washington DC.

  • Vartanian, J. P., Sala, M., Henry, M., Wain-Hobson, S., & Meyerhans, A. (1999). Manganese cations increase the mutation rate of human immune deficiency virus type 1 ex vivo. Journal of General Virology, 80, 1983–1986.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z. X., Chen, J. Q., Chai, L. Y., Yang, Z. H., Huang, S. H., & Zheng, Y. (2011). Environmental impact and site specific human health risks of chromium in the vicinity of a ferro-alloy manufactory, China. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 190, 980–985.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, J. M., Mi, W. B., & He, T. H. (2008). Assessment of the safety status for the drinking water supply sources and its management strategies in Yinchuan City. Journal of Water Resources and Water Engineering, 19, 65–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation—WHO. (1998). International programme of chemical safety. Guidelines for drinking water quality. Addendum to volume 2 health criteria and other supporting information. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation—WHO. (2008). Guidelines for drinking water quality (3rd Ed incorporating the 1st and 2nd Addenda) volume 1 recommendation.Geneva http://www.who.int/water_sanitation health/dwq/gdwq3rev/en/. Accessed on 19th August 2009.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the assistance rendered by Activation Laboratories, located at 1336, Sandhill Drive, Ancaster, Ontario, L9G4V5, Canada where the water samples were analyzed using ICP/MS. This research is part of a Ph.D. dissertation of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The authors thank the Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology as well as the Department of Chemistry for allowing the use of their laboratory facilities.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Sciences, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 353, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

    H. Ayedun

  2. Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, 110001, Nigeria

    H. Ayedun, A. M. Gbadebo & T. A. Arowolo

  3. Department of Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, 110001, Nigeria

    O. A. Idowu

Authors
  1. H. Ayedun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. M. Gbadebo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. O. A. Idowu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. A. Arowolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. A. Arowolo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ayedun, H., Gbadebo, A.M., Idowu, O.A. et al. Toxic elements in groundwater of Lagos and Ogun States, Southwest, Nigeria and their human health risk assessment. Environ Monit Assess 187, 351 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4319-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4319-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation