TITLE:
Selected Trace Elements in Domestic Water Boreholes and Their Implications on Human Health, in Huruma Estate, Eldoret Municipality, Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Taratisio Ndwiga
KEYWORDS:
Trace Elements; Human Health; Chronic Exposure; Borehole; Non-Communicable Disease
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
23,
2014
ABSTRACT: Trace
elements constitute less than 1% of the rocks in the crust (Stumm and Morgan,
1991). In the human body, they constitute less than 100 mg/kg (0.01%). These
elements are released to the environment naturally by weathering and volcanic
activities (Flint and skinner, 1997). It has been observed that trace elements
are greatly absorbed and retained in the body when in liquid diet. This
phenomenon also influences the risk to human health, especially of infants and
children whose immature digestive system further promote absorption of toxic
heavy metals. The study was based on the analysis of domestic borehole water
supplies in Huruma estate of Eldoret Municipality for selected trace elements
and their implications on human health. The boreholes were systematically
selected for sampling points and trace elements, Cr, Cu and Se analyzed using
AAS. Statistical analysis for mean, standard deviation and confidence interval
limits was done using SPSS. The statistical t-test was used to test for significance
differences at (p = 0.05). The graphs were drawn using the Microsoft Excel
package. The resulting data obtained from analysis were compared with WHO data
for drinking water. In the study, the mean values of the following parameters
were as follows: Chromium 17.9 μg/L, Copper 563 μg/L and Selenium 22.7 μg/L.
There was a significant difference at 5% level of significance (p = 0.000) in
all the parameter values among the sampling points in Huruma estate. The above
mean values were far below the WHO recommended limits for drinking water. It
was concluded that the borehole water from Huruma was fit for drinking and
therefore could not cause cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, borehole
water should be used if other water sources (tap water etc.) were not
available. All the industries near Huruma estate should carefully analyze and
regularly monitor their liquid waste effluents to ensure that no harmful
discharges get into the soil.