CADMIUM IN THE UMTATA RIVER AND THE ASSOCIATED HEALTH IMPACT OF ON RURAL COMMUNITIES WHO ARE PRIMARY USERS OF WATER FROM THE RIVER

Analysis of water samples for metals (Cd and Zn) performed between October 2002 and December 2003 and relations with pH and temperature from that river in the east of South Africa for the determination of toxic effects of Cd in humans. The levels of Cd varied between trace and 0.007 mg/l while that of Zn ranged from trace to 0.019 mg/l.