Risk assessment of heavy metals concentration in cereals and legumes sold in the Tamale Aboabo market, Ghana

Abstract

The greatest risks posed by heavy metals to human health are linked to exposure to hazardous metals, which may be present in staple foods such as cereals and legumes. In this study, the levels of harmful metals and vital minerals like cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and copper (As) in certain cereals and legumes sold in Tamale Aboabo Market in the Northern Region of Ghana were evaluated. A total of twenty-one (21) samples were randomly selected, digested, and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The samples included three each of cowpea, groundnuts, and soybean (AAS). As concentrations varied from 0.017 mg/kg, Cd concentration was undetectable, Cu concentrations ranged from 0.019 to 0.042 mg/kg, and Zn concentrations were low. The levels of As in the legumes and grains were higher than the 0015 mg/kg FAO/WHO guideline limit. According to the study, there is a risk associated with consuming any of the cereal and legume crops offered in the Tamale Aboabo market that contain any amount of As. The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and runoff from other agricultural fields may have contributed to the higher levels in the cereals. The hazard index via ingestion values for both adults and children were found to be less than 1, indicating no need for potential non-carcinogenic concern. Generally, there is no cancer risk with consumption of the cereals and legumes in terms of all the metals investigated.

Keywords

• Heavy metals
• Cereals
• Legumes
• Risk
• Carcinogenic
• Non-carcinogenic