Occurrence of bisphenol A, nonylphenol, octylphenol and heavy metals in groundwater from selected communities in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) such as bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP) and heavy metals in drinking water supply represent a significant threat to human health. In Nigeria, little is known about the presence of EDs in various environmental media. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of BPA, NP and OP in groundwater samples from selected communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from 30 different sites (26 hand-dug wells, 2 boreholes and 2 spring water sources), 15 from each of Ibadan North-West (IbNW) and Ido Local Government Area (LGA). Samples were collected in triplicate from all the sampling points and analysed for BPA, NP, OP and physicochemical parameters (including heavy metals) using a standard procedure. Bisphenol A and octylphenol were not detected in any samples, while NP was detected in spring water and the concentration (0.00279 mg/L) was less than the maximum allowable limit (0.015 mg/L). All (100.0%) boreholes in IbNW and 100.0% of the springs in Ido LGA showed iron concentrations that exceeded the permissible limit. There is a need for public awareness on the health risk of EDs in drinking water supply and appropriate preventive measures to be adopted. HIGHLIGHTS Bisphenol A and octylphenol were not detected in any of the 30 sites examined.; Nonylphenol was detected in a spring water supply at a level below the maximum allowable limit.; Lead was not detected while manganese was detected at varying concentrations.; The occurrence of EDs was confirmed, albeit in low concentration, for nonylphenol.;

Keywords

• bisphenol a
• endocrine disruptors
• groundwater
• heavy metal
• nonylphenol
• octylphenol