Determination of copper, iron and lead levels in selected vegetables obtained from the three main markets, in Minna, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The levels of Cu, Fe and Pb in six selected vegetables in three Minna main markets were determined using Perkin Elmer Analyst 200 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results revealed that average concentrations of Cu, Fe, Pb detected ranged from 24 to 28, 320 to 2140 and 20 to 100 µg/g for Bosso market; 18 to 34, 260 to 720 and 20 to 20 µg/g for Tunga market, and 26 to 34, 260 to 1940 and 20 to 100 µg/g for Central Area market, respectively. The concentrations of the metals were compared with those reported for similar vegetables from other parts of the world and were found to be higher. The high values might be attributed to the combination of factors including the use of untreated water, bad practice in post harvesting handling of the vegetables products with disregard to the food safety guidelines. The physical market environments in these locations surrounded by a heavy urban pollutant deposition might have exacerbated contamination levels of these vegetable samples. The daily intakes of Cu and Pb through these vegetables were also calculated and were found to be above the recommended tolerance levels proposed by FAO, WHO/EU and FAO/WHO. The concentration of Cu, Fe and Pb contents obtained showed that vegetable samples from these markets could put the consumers of these vegetables at health risk, since the levels were above safety baseline contents for human consumption. Key words: Atomic absorption spectrometry, copper, iron, lead, vegetables, Minna.