HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN CANNED AND FRESH FOOD

ABSTRACT

Studies have revealed a growing concern for increasing cases of food contamination with heavy metals. The present study assessed the food toxicity for frequently consumed fresh and canned foods in Nigeria. Levels of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd), were assessed in ten food samples (tomatoes, green pea, kidney bean, corn, fish). Heavy metal levels were determined using standard methods. Human health risk was estimated for adults and children from exposure to heavy metals through consumption of contaminated food. The results of metals obtained in the canned food ranged from BDL (Pb and Cd) – 25.2mg/kg (Fe) in green pea, BDL (Pb and Cd)-2.46mg/kg (Zn) in kidney beans, BDL (Pb and Cd)-4.905mg/kg (Fe) in corn, BDL (Pb and Cd)-4.65mg/kg (Fe) in tomatoes, BDL (Pb and Cd)-4.57mg/kg (Zn) in fish. A range of BDL (Pb and Cd)-27.25mg/kg (Zn) in green pea, BDL (Pb and Cd) -6.48mg/kg (Zn) in corn, BDL (Pb and Cd)-6.89mg/kg (Zn) in tomatoes, BDL (Pb and Cd)-10.77mg/kg (Zn) in kidney bean and BDL (Pb and Cd)-42.15mg/kg (Zn) in fish were recorded in the fresh food samples. The result showed lower mean values in canned food compared to fresh food. Human health risk assessment showed hazard quotient (HQ) >1 in Cr and Cu indicating a potential for non-carcinogenic risk in adults and children. The hazard index (HI) in both the canned and fresh food were >1 indicating a high non-carcinogenic health risk from the cumulative effect of the assessed metals. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) showed extremely high carcinogenic risk to both adults and children with higher risk in children compared to adults.