International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Improper treatment and disposal of wastewater from pharmaceutical companies can contaminate nearby water bodies and surrounding ecosystems as a result of the release of pollutants such as heavy metals. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of heavy metals in wastewater effluents from pharmaceutical companies in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used for the determination of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentration ranged from ND (not detected) for Pb, Cr, Cd and Cu in all the samples to 3.916 ppm for Fe in Chez Resources Pharmaceutical Limited. The total concentration of heavy metals in the wastewater samples investigated is in the order Fe (12.727 ppm) > Zn (8.620 ppm) > Mn (1.925 ppm) > Co (1.194 ppm) > Ni (1.087 ppm) > Pb (ND) = Cr (ND) = Cu (ND). The study has shown that wastewater of all the studied pharmaceutical industries is free from Pb, Cr, Cd and Cu. The concentrations of Co across the sampling points are above the permissible limits recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) of 0.10 ppm except in Alben Health Care Industries Ltd. Zn  in all the samples is below the WHO recommended limit except in Chez Resources Pharmaceutical Ltd. Fe is above WHO limit in all the samples while Mn concentration in all the samples is below WHO limit except in Chazmax Pharmaceutical Ltd. and Ni in all the samples is above the WHO limit except in Alben Health Care Industries Ltd. Hence, there is the need for pharmaceutical and allied industries to monitor and treat their industrial effluents regularly.