Canned foods are one of the most commonly consumed products, due to benefits like the taste, handiness and convenience derived from them. On the other hand, these dietary products may be a means of heavy metal exposure and toxicant. This study aimed to quantify metals content in some frequently consumed canned foods in Nigeria as a possible source of toxicity. Twenty-two different commonly consumed brands of canned foods (Sweet corn, Green peas, Corned beef, Hotdog, Mushroom, Tin tomato, Mixed fruit, Baked beans, Mackerel (tomato sauce canned fish), Sardine (canned fish in vegetable oil) and Red kidney were analyzed for Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb and Al using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer after wet digestion. The results showed that the heavy metals concentration in the samples under study ranged from 0.55 to 0.86mg/kg (Ni), 0.00 to 0.41mg/kg (Cr), 1.40 to 1.76 mg/kg (Pb), 0.07 to 0.2mg/kg (Cu) and 4.71 to 16.4mg/kg (Al). The levels of Pb, Ni and Al were above FAO/WHO recommended limit of 0.01mg/kg, 0.05mg/kg and 7mg/kg respectively. The presence of heavy metals like lead (Pb) above the permissible limit calls for caution during production and in the frequent consumption of canned foods which may lead to accumulation of metals, toxicity and the sequelae.

Skin absorption remains a major source of heavy metal toxicity in humans. This study determine the heavy metals content of selected cosmetics frequently used in Ibadan South-west Nigeria using AAS model ICE 3000 and some adverse reactions. Questionnaires administered to people of different age groups and classes in the society informed the choice of representative cosmetics for heavy metals analysis. The questionnaire revealed gender distribution usage of 84.7% and 15.3%; for female and male respectively. Cosmetics use was observed to be highest among the age bracket 21-25years (30.7%). Unmarried (single) females (58.9%) used cosmetics more than the married (40.6%). While 5.9% used it for bleaching, 21.3% had various adverse effects arising from cosmetics usage. All the various cosmetics brands contained Cr, Ni and Cd. Cr levels in eyeliner (12.7ppm) and face-powder (2.5ppm) were higher than EPA limit (1ppm). Pb levels in eyeliner (87.8ppm) and hair-dye (21.6ppm) were higher than WHO limits (10ppm). Cd levels in eyeliner (0.8ppm), lip-gloss (0.5ppm) and face-powder (1.8ppm) were higher than WHO limits (0.3ppm). The cumulative exposure to heavy metals in cosmetics products as a result of prolonged use could be a possible source of heavy metals toxicity.

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