Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Food Crops at Abandoned Lead-Zinc Mining Site at Tse-Faga, Logo, Lga, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hundreds of children died in 2010 due to suspected lead poisoning from mining sources in Zamfara State among epidemiological concerns. Evaluating ecological and human health risks of heavy metals levels in sampled food crops harvested near two abandoned Lead-Zinc mining sites at Logo Benue State is crucial. Abelmoschus esculentus, Carica papaya, Manihot esculenta, and Zea mays were sampled, prepared, and analyzed for four heavy metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method. The mean data from the analysis of variance was subjected to ecological and health risk models. Pb means value ranged from Carica papaya Peel 0.46 ± 0.011 mg/kg to 1.30 ± 0.01 mg/kg in Zea mays seed. Zn was highest in Carica papaya flesh 0.50 ± 0.01 mg/kg, and lowest in Manihot esculenta peels and its flesh 0.12 ± 0.000 mg/kg. Hg and Cd were below detectable levels. Zea mays seeds (1.001) had the highest Pd bioaccumulation factor. BAF of zinc and ecological indices were <1. Daily Intake of Metals were all <1, however, Hazard Quotient (HQ) of Pb was ≥1 in Manihot esculenta flesh 1.143 and Zea mays at 1714. Cancer Risks were within permissible range (10 −4 -10 −6 ). Health Risk result indicates communities around the mining area may be at risk of lead poisoning therefore due to high contamination of samples, routine checks on heavy metals especially lead is recommended to prevent excessive bioaccumulation in the body.

Co-Impact of Security Challenges, Energy Price Shocks, and Environmental Pollution on Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria

“…Evaluation of heavy metals in a Nigeria river, Southeast Nigeria, showed that hazard index for Pb and Cd far exceeds threshold value (Anyanwu and Nwachukwu, 2020). Also, findings from health risk assessment in Benue State, Nigeria, indicates that communities around mining areas may be at risk of Pb poisoning due to high contamination of food samples in the studied communities (Samuel and Babatunde, 2021).…”

Heavy Metals in Commonly Consumed Root and Leafy Vegetables in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, and Assessment of Associated Public Health Risks

“…A widely used acid-based digestion method was used for the plant sample digestion (Alain et al 2021;Blum et al 1996;Samuel and Babatunde 2021). Briefly, one gram of the oven-dried sample was weighed into a 100 mL beaker, followed by the addition of 10 mL of concentrated HNO 3 (analysis grade, Merck-Germany) and 2 mL concentrated HClO 4 (Merck-Germany).…”

Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria

“…Mining has long been associated with the release of a range of toxic metals including lead (Pb), found at high levels in land surrounding mine dumps and far afield. Research has documented high levels of Pb in water sources associated with solid mineral mining operations in different world regions [1][2][3][4]. Chronic human exposure to Pb in water can lead to accumulation in human blood and elevated blood lead levels (BLLs).…”