Abstract
The concern over exposure to drinking water contamination and the resultant adverse effect on human health has prompted several studies evaluating the quality of drinking water sources. The aim of this study is to assess contamination of drinking packaged water in Nasarawa state by Heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, As, Pb, Cu, Hg, Cr, and Cd) using the AAS. The results shows the mean values ranges for Fe (0.08-0205mg/l), Zn(0.02-0.009mg/l), Mg (0.205-1.35mg/l), Mn (0.02-0.09mg/l), As(0.003-0.01mg/l), Pb(0.006-0.010mg/l),Cu(0.023-0.11mg/l), Hg(0.001-0.002mg/l), Cr(0.00-0.004mg/l and Cd(0 .001-0.002mg/l), in the five local government of studies. These values are all within the World Health Organization and Standard Organization of Nigeria standard for portable drinking water. This could mean proper filtration, sedimentation, aeration, flocculation, ion exchange, ozonation and other water treatment is carried out before packaging.