Heavy Metals Assessment (Zn, Cr, N, Cu) Content of Used Borehole Water in General Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metals refer to any metallic chemical element that has relatively high density and toxic at even low concentration values. Examples include Thallium, Lead, Chromium, Aluminium, Mercury, Copper etc. They are usually called trace elements with a worldwide public issue. They are claimed to have caused fatality in about more than 1.8million lives especially in infants. There are evidences that these metals are usually present in most drinking sources of water like boreholes, and food chain contamination. This research work is carried out to investigate the presence and concentration of some of these metals in borehole water used in the General Hospital in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State. Selected heavy metals for determination were Chromium, Aluminium, Zinc and Copper. The study determined whether the Borehole water of General Hospital, Calabar consist of Chromium (Al), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) and if their concentrated level exceeds the recommended standard by World Health Organization (WHO).

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