Background: Many of the markets in Nigeria are open, where foodstuffs are laid bare on flat trays and open baskets, directly
exposing them to environmental contaminants.This study aimed at determining whether some food items on sale around
an industrialized area of Ogun State are contaminated with trace metals.
Methods: Seven different food items –
Clarias gariepinus
(roasted, fresh and smoked)
Bos taurus
(dried and fresh beef), zobo
leaf (
Hibiscus sabdariffa
) and crayfish (
Astacus leptodactylus
) were sampled from three major markets, namely: Lusada, Atan
and Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota LGA of Ogun State. They were analyzed for Lead, Cadmium, Nickel, Manganese and Zinc using
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
Results: Cd was not detected in most of the food items across the markets. Pb, Ni and Mn were detected in very high concentrations
above the maximum allowable limits by international regulatory agencies. Zn was the only metal that was generally
below regulatory limits in food items across the three markets. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard
Quotient (THQ) values were generally higher than values acceptable in food.
Conclusion: Some of the food items consumed in this area are not entirely safe from metal toxicity and this may have serious
health consequences.
