Abstract:

The study was undertaken to evaluate some heavy metals in beef and pork sold at Okpuno and assess their health risks. Six samples of pork and beef were bought and analyzed for a period of three months for heavy metals viz. cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) with the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The result generated from the analyzed heavy metals were utilized in computing for the potential human health risk associated with the consumption of both meats by consumers. The result showed that, in pork, Fe, Zn and Pb were highest within the three months with the following mean concentrations 0.22 ± 0.22, 0.16 ± 0.15, 0.09 ± 0.07mg/kg respectively. Also, Fe (0.30 ± 0.25 mg/kg) and Zn (0.21 ± 0.20 mg/kg) recorded higher concentrations in beef. The estimated daily intakes of all the five heavy metals were found to be low when compared to the recommended daily dietary intake. In relation to health risk, the target hazard quotient of the analyzed heavy metals ranged from 0.003566 to 0.00000179 and follows the increasing order of: Cd > Pb > Cu > Fe > Zn. The target hazard quotient of the five metals poses little threat to human health (THQ<1). The computed carcinogenic risk for Cd (0.0000112) and Pb (0.0000000152) were within the tolerable limit (1 × 10−6 < CR < 1 × 10−4). However, carcinogenic risk value for Cd in this study indicates that serious health concern associated with cadmium toxicity may occur overtime from consumption of these meats. Findings from this study revealed that some of the heavy metals were within safety limits for human consumption, hence, intake of these meats (pork and beef) pose no threat to consumers.