ABSTRACT

Meat consumption is increasingly becoming a larger part of diets worldwide. However, the bioaccumulation of toxic metals from anthropogenic pollution is a potential health risk to human health. To measure the daily intake of Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead and Cadmium from  cow hide meat (Ponmo) consumption and assess the possible health risks it poses to consumers, this study assessed the level of Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead and Cadmium in cow hide samples collected randomly from vendors at Uselu market. The samples were dried, digested and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The findings revealed the range of metal contamination in the samples was between 1.05 mg/kg and 0.003 mg/kg. The Mean concentration of Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead and Cadmium in the ponmo samples analyzed 1.0490 ± 0.3529, 0.0440 ± 0.0163, 0.0583 ± 0.0042, 0.0090 ± 0.0045 and 0.0057 ± 0.0028 mg/kg respectively.  Iron had the highest concentration while cadmium had the lowest concentration. The cow hide meats analyzed were mildly concentrated with heavy metals when compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. However, these levels should be monitored closely and prolonged exposure through consumption of these tissues and organs should be avoided. Proper cooking and washing of ponmo meats with salt and clean water, prior to cooking, adequate cooking before consumption, maintaining hygienic conditions at market places during sales and regular change of water used in soaking ponmo are all recommended.