Evaluation of the Concentrations of Some Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) and Long Term Exposure Due to Daily Consumption of Ready-to-Eat Foods Sold at Petrol Station’s Atmospheric Conditions (AF) in Calabar Metropolis
Grace E. Udosen *
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Friday E. Uboh
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Dennis Amaechi
Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, Nigeria.
Michael O. Odey
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Cross River State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
John E. Mgbang
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Heavy metals contamination has been reported at petrol station environments. There is a possibility of contamination foods around petrol stations.
Objectives: In this study, the concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr, long term exposure and daily consumption of ready-to-eat food foods sold at Petrol station’s Atmospheric conditions (AF) in Calabar Metropolis was evaluated.
Methods: Foods samples, including such prepared ready-to-eat foods were collected at the point of sale at the fuel stations in Calabar Nigeria, about 7:00am in the morning before they were opened for sale (and exposed to the environment of the filling stations). These were labelled “Before”. At about 2:00pm to 3:00pm same day, the same ready-to-eat food samples were collected again at the same spots, for a duration of 3 months.
Results: In this study, the levels of Pb, Cd and Cr were determined in some ready-to-eat foods that are sold around the filling station environments in Calabar metropolis. The results obtained showed that the levels of Pb and Cd were significantly (p<0.05) increased in garri, afang soup, melon soup, white rice, beans, stew and meat pie, while the level of and Cr was significantly (p<0.05) increased in afang soup, melon soup, white rice, beans, stew and meat pie after 6 hours of exposure to petrol station’s atmospheric conditions.
Conclusion: From this study, it may be concluded that exposure of ready-to-eat foods at the filling station’s atmospheric conditions may cause heavy metal contamination to the foods, particularly Pb, Cd and Cr.
Keywords: Lead, cadmium, chromium, contamination and petrol stations