Study Traces Drugs in a Dam That Supplies Nigeria's Abuja

Pharmaceuticals, drugs used to prevent or treat human and animal diseases, are essential for health and well-being, but the increasing use of these drugs means that remnants of them are showing up in the aquatic environment and contaminating our waters.

Ifenna Ilechukwu investigated the occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in water and sediments of Usuma dam in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, assessing the risk of the harm they could do.

The research found traces of pharmaceuticals in the water and sediment of the dam and that is not good for ecological and public health. Usuma dam is an important source of potable water and fish for people living in Abuja. It is also a major receiving water body as it acts as a sink for pollutants from the surrounding areas. It is surrounded by a large unplanned settlements and is the major drain for household, municipal and agricultural wastes in the area.