Zamfara lead poisoning saga: Comparison of lead contamination level of water samples and lead poisoning in Bagega Artisanal gold mining district, Nigeria

Abstract

Bagega and its environs in Zamfara State (Nigeria) were part of the region where recent acute lead (Pb ) poisoning outbreak occurred. In this study, different sources of water samples were obtained from Bagega, Topeki , Tungakudeku and Dareta. Pb concentration level in water samples was quantitatively determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Pb level in water samples was a ssessed using Contamination Factor (CF) and the res ult obtained was compared with the previous investigati on conducted on blood Pb levels of the dwellers wit hin the same study area. All the water samples analysed in the sarea contained Pb above the 0.01ppm World Heal th Organization (WHO) drinking water limit for Pb. Wit h the exception of Topeki well water sample (which had a considerable contamination for Pb), all other water samples analysed in the study area showed a very h contamination (C.F > 6) for Pb. There wasa strong l ink between the Pb level in water samples of the st udy area and the blood Pb levels of the inhabitant of the locali ty. Thus, the drinking water source might be one of the major routes of human Pb exposure among the dwellers of the stud y area.