Abstract
Blood lead levels (BLLs) is considered as a good indicator of current body burden of the toxic metal. Assessment of BLLs of white Fulani cattle(Bos primigenius indicus)and red Sokoto goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) grazed freely on open pastures in Zaria was carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry using Shimadzu Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model AA-6800, Japan) after wet digestion to evaluate the potential effects of the metal on the animals, the toxicological implication of consuming this major source of animal protein by humans and most importantly as an indirect measure of the lead pollution status of Zaria ecological geochemical environment. The blood lead levels of Bos primigenius indicus ranged from a minimum of 0.62 mg/l to a maximum of 2.28 mg/l with a mean value of 1.36±0.48 mg/l. On the other hand, blood lead levels of Capra aegagrus hircus ranged between 0.26 mg/l and 1.56 mg/l with a mean value of 0.89±0.43mg/l. The BLLs of both cows and goats were found to exceed the allowable limit for the elements in blood of food animals indicating that cows and goats grazed freely on open pastures in Zaria metropolis are not safe for human consumption. Routine monitoring of the heavy metal in plant and animal products is therefore recommended to safeguard human health. Most importantly, the study indicates the presence of elevated levels of environmental lead in Zaria ecological geochemical environment.
Highlights
Pollution caused by anthropogenic lead has its origin mostly from activities such as leaded gasoline, incineration of waste, burning of coal, mining, smelting and industrial uses
The other river that drains the ancient city of Zaria is the Kubanni River which originates from the precincts of the Ahmad Bello University (ABU) Main Campus, Zaria, as a trench in an undulating agricultural land and is fed by a number of tributaries (Uzairu et al, 2009)
Lead with a similar valence as calcium has greater affinity for the calcium binding sites. This may account for the elevated Blood lead levels (BLLs) recorded for three cows at National Animal Production Research Institute as investigation revealed that the three cows were all lactating
Summary
Pollution caused by anthropogenic lead has its origin mostly from activities such as leaded gasoline, incineration of waste, burning of coal, mining, smelting and industrial uses. Children are more affected by lead poisoning than adult, with their exposure to the toxic metal causing, irreversible damage to the brain. Occupational exposure has been recognized as one of the commonest causes of lead poisoning in adults. Several deaths linked to lead poisoning were reported in Zamfara state, North Eastern Nigeria in 2010. The bad news is that between 2010 and 2013 well over 700 children have been reported death in what is described as the worst lead poisoning crisis world over in 40 years (Kabara, 2014). A similar crisis is currently unfolding in Niger State, North central Nigeria where over twenty eight children have so far been reported death in May 2015 (Sun, 2015)
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