Evaluation of Heavy Metals Concentrations in Selected Exposed Food Stuff Consumed in Port Harcourt Nigeria
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) - Year 2018, Vol 12, Issue 8
Abstract
The concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium copper, zinc and iron in vegetables (pumpkin and bitter leaf) and garri at some locations in Port Harcourt were determined using Perkin Elmer AS 3100 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed that in pumpkin the highest mean concentration was 911.3l6ppm Fe and the least concentration was <0.00lppm Cr; in bitter leaf the highest mean concentration was 1233.210ppm Zn and the least mean concentration was <0.001ppm Cr; in garri the highest mean concentration was 31.060ppm Fe while the least concentration was 0.001ppm in Pb, Cd and Cr .The highest mean concentration was 260.815ppm Fe and the least mean concentration was <0.001ppm Cr. The highest mean concentrations of the metals were 9.350ppm Pb in washed bitter leaf at Ozuboko, 0.700ppm Cd in pumpkin at Abuloma, 4.550ppm Cr in pumpkin at Abuloma, 16.575ppm Cu in pumpkin at Ozuboko, 1236.900ppm Zn in unwashed bitter leaf at Amadi-ama and 299.250ppm Fe in Pumpkin at Ozuboko. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the metal concentrations in washed and unwashed bitter leaf, red and white garri and the locations. The concentrations of Cr, Zn, Fe and Pb exceeded their standard limits recommended by WHO and FAO/EU in few sites but below the limits in others and therefore do not portend serious risk to the consumers in the locality. It was recommended that heavy metals concentrations in exposed food stuff should be regularly monitored to avoid adverse effects.
Authors and Affiliations
* 1 Ideriah, T. J. K. ,, 2Uzamaden, G. I. ,, 3Ubong, I. U
Keywords
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