Uranium and Thorium contaminations of Baobab leave powder consumed in selected locations of Katsina State, North West Nigeria

Abstract

The need to know the level of contamination of radioactive elements, especially uranium and thorium, in the common foods we eat particularly the Baobab leave powder is highly significant due to their detrimental health effects. The presence of uranium and thorium in significant concentrations also presents an exposure risk to populations. In this study, six (6) baobab samples were collected from Daura, Funtua, Dustin-Ma, Kankia, Katsina, and Malumfashi in Katsina State. The samples were analysed for uranium and thorium content using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Concentration level of uranium was detected to be (0.068±0.011 mg/kg) in Daura and (0.021 mg/kg) in Dustin-Ma, while in Funtua, Kankiya, Katsina and Malumfashi, the concentrations were below detection limit. Thorium concentration was equally found to be (0.66±0.07 mg/kg) in Malumfashi, (0.54±0.07 mg/kg) in Daura, (0.43±0.06 mg/kg) in Dutsin-Ma, (0.25±0.04 mg/kg) in Kankia and (0.33±0.05 mg/kg) in Funtua. The concentration level of uranium and thorium accumulated in the baobab leave when analysed was found to be far below joint ATSDR/NIH safe limit of Uranium and Thorium intake in the human body. From this present work, we can see that the Baobab leave powder is safe for human consumption even though care should be taken to avoid contaminations