Analysis of Heavy Metals in Goat and Cow Hides Singed with Scrap Tyre In Tudun Wada Zango Abattoir, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Singeing of goat and cow hides is the major process by which fur on the skin of slaughtered animals is burnt in open fire using materials like firewood and charcoal because it preserves the animal's hide for consumption. Tyres have been reported to contain heavy metals that could pose health threats to hides consumers. This study was done to determine the concentration of heavy metals in goat and cow hides singed with scrap tyre in Tudun Wada Zango Abattoir, Kaduna. 42 goat and cow hides samples were analysed. Samples were collected before singeing, after singeing and when singed hides were washed. Furthermore, scraped soot from singed hides were collected and determination of heavy metals. Samples were prepared according to the method of Association of Official Analytical Chemists and concentration of Lead, Cadmium, Zinc and Iron were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of Lead and Cadmium in tyre singed goat and cow hide have exceeded maximum permissible limit (MPL) of European Commission Regulation (ECR) while that of Zinc and Iron were below MPL. Washing reduced the concentration of heavy metals in both hides but levels of Lead and Cadmium were still above MPL. This makes goat and cow hides singed with scrap tyre unsafe for consumption. The scraped soot obtained from the singed hides had high concentrations of lead and Cadmium and can contaminate nearby water bodies and soil. Therefore, proper laws should be enacted to stop butchers from using scrap tyre as source of fuel to singe hides.