Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management (Nov 2016)

Potential human health risk assessment of heavy metals intake via consumption of some leafy vegetables obtained from four market in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

  • Aderinola Hannah Adedokun,
  • Kelechi Longinus Njoku,
  • Modupe Olatunde Akinola,
  • Adeola Alex Adesuyi,
  • Anuoluwapo Omosileola Jolaoso

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v20i3.6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 3

Abstract

Read online

This work investigated six heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cu) accumulation in five popular leafy vegetables: Telferia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin), Talinum triangulare (waterleaf), Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaves), Celosia argentea (plumed cockscomb), and Amaranthus viridis (slender amaranth) obtained from 4 popular markets in Lagos metropolis using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and evaluate the human health risks of their consumption. Heavy metals content in vegetables across the markets ranged as follow; Cd (0.05 – 0.20 mg/kg); Pb (0.34 – 5.44 mg/kg), Zn (4.21 – 20.80 mg/kg), Cr (0.25 – 1.51 mg/kg), Ni (0.13 – 2.91 mg/kg) and Cu (2.34 – 14.08 mg/kg). The concentrations of all metals are quite generally lower than the permissible levels by FAO/WHO in vegetables except for Pb. Statistical analysis of levels of the studied metals in A. viridis, T. occidentalis, C. argentea, and O. gratissimum in all the markets sample showed significant differences in levels of Zn, Cr, Cu and Ni (p Cu > Cd > Ni > Zn > Cr. The THQ in all metals is less than 1 in all the vegetables species; therefore, it does not pose serious health risk concern. However, vegetable consumption was just one part of food consumption, the potential health risks for residents might actually be higher than in this study when other routes of heavy metals intake are considered. Keywords: Heavy Metals, leafy vegetable, daily intake of metals, health risk index, target hazard quotient (THQ), zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, nickel, copper

Keywords