Datasets on Arsenic and Cadmium Contamination in Nigerian Domestic Water

This dataset is a compilation of information on the presence of arsenic and cadmium in Nigerian drinking water sources. Arsenic and cadmium are classified as group 1 carcinogens, which pose serious health risks to the public. The data presented were compiled from the review of research articles published between 2010 and 2023 on Nigerian domestic water sources such as groundwater (hand-dug wells, machine wells, and boreholes) and surface water (rivers, streams, and lakes). The sources of the heavy metals were traced to anthropogenic activities and geogenic sources. The anthropogenic activities that give rise to arsenic and cadmium in drinking water sources include industrial waste discharge into the environment, fertilizer applications, and mining. The geogenic causes of arsenic and cadmium in domestic water sources refer to the natural deposits in soils and stream sediments. The study showed that anthropogenic activities accounted for 61% and 68% of arsenic and cadmium pollution in drinking water, respectively, while the remaining cases were attributed to geogenic causes. Some of the studies linked arsenic and cadmium contamination to chronic illnesses such as kidney failures, liver sclerosis, and central nervous problems in Nigeria. This data is important for understanding arsenic and cadmium's pathways, transport processes, and fate. The data can be used by researchers to understand patterns and trends in water contamination. It can also be used by policymakers and health professionals to plan the necessary interventions to remediate the problem. Furthermore, this data can guide the much-needed epidemiological studies to determine the areas where the problem is prevalent and to link the reports of ailments in the affected areas to water contamination by arsenic and cadmium.