Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThis study assessed lead, cadmium, and nickel level in food crops, fruits and soil samples from Ohaji and Umuagwo and Owerri in South Eastern Nigeria and estimated the potential health risks of metals. Samples were washed, oven-dried at 70–80°C for 24 h and powdered. Samples were digested with perchloric acid and nitric acid. Metals were analysed with Unicam Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.ResultThe concentration of Pb, Cd, and Ni in Ohaji exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for agricultural soil as recommended by EU. Lead, Cd, and Ni in the food crops were highest in Oryza sativa, Glycine max, and Pentabacta microfila respectively. Highest levels of Pb, Cd, and Ni, in fruits were detected in Canarium schweinfurthii, Citrus reticulata, Ananas comosus respectively. The true lead and cadmium intake for the rice based meal were 3.53 and 0.034 g/kg respectively. Whereas the true intake of lead and cadmium for the cassava based meal were 19.42 and 0.049 g/kg respectively.ConclusionLocal food stuff commonly available in South Eastern Nigeria villages may contribute to the body burden of heavy metal. This is of public health importance.

Hematotoxicity status of lead and three other heavy metals in cow slaughtered for human consumption in Jos, Nigeria

“…The food chain is an important source of heavy metals accumulation (Jolly et al, 2013), especially for plants grown on polluted soils (Pilarczyk et al, 2013). Sometimes, they become concentrated in soil, water or in air and they are taken up by plants (Ogabiela et al, 2011;Orisakwe et al, 2012) and ingested by humans when they eat animals grazed in areas of increased industrial activities or contaminated pastures (Okada et al, 1997;Salem et al, 2000). Significant amounts of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) can be transferred from contaminated soil to plants and grass, causing accumulation of these potentially toxic metals in grazing ruminants, particularly in cattle (López et al, 2003;Miranda et al, 2005).…”

Treated Greywater Reuse for Hydroponic Lettuce Production in a Green Wall System – Quantitative Health Risk Assessment

“…In addition to the two broad 3 of 20 may cause contamination of plant products with microbial pathogens. Various health problems can occur and develop due to the consumption of contaminated vegetables and the consumption of heavy metals contaminated food and this may cause disruption of various biological processes in the body leading to a decreased immunological defence, growth retardation, disability associated with malnutrition, cardiovascular, neurological, kidney and bone diseases [14,15]. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) models and chemical health risk assessment (CHRA) approaches will enable us to evaluate the adverse health effects of operational activities and the consumption of vegetables, and support the risk management decisions.…”

Determination of Some Metallic Elements and their Effect on Physical Properties of Edible Olive Oil in Palestine

“…Where DIR is daily intake rate, M C is metal concentration in olive oil (μg/g), D i is daily intake of olive oil (kg/person), and M is average body mass in (kg) [10].…”