Evaluation and Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Pork and Beef Sold in Okpuno, Awka South, Anambra State, Nigeria

The study was undertaken to evaluate some heavy metals in beef and pork sold at Okpuno and assess their health risks. Six samples of pork and beef were bought and analysed for three months for heavy metals viz. cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) with the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results generated from the analysed heavy metals were utilised in computing the potential human health risk associated with consuming both types of meat by consumers. The result showed that in pork, Fe, Zn and Pb were highest within the three months with the following mean concentrations 0.22 ± 0.22, 0.16 ± 0.15, and 0.09 ± 0.07mg/kg respectively. Also, Fe (0.30 ± 0.25 mg/kg) and Zn (0.21 ± 0.20 mg/kg) recorded higher concentrations in beef. The estimated daily intakes of all five heavy metals were found to be low when compared to the recommended daily dietary intake. Concerning health risk, the target hazard quotient of the analysed heavy metals ranged from 0.003566 to 0.00000179 and followed the increasing order of Cd > Pb > Cu > Fe > Zn. The target hazard quotient of the five metals poses little threat to human health (THQ<1). The computed carcinogenic risk for Cd (0.0000112) and Pb (0.0000000152) were within the tolerable limit (1 × 10−6 < CR < 1 × 10−4). However, the carcinogenic risk value for Cd in this study indicates that serious health concerns associated with cadmium toxicity may occur over time from the consumption of these meats. Findings from this study revealed that some of the heavy metals were within safety limits for human consumption, hence, intake of these meats (pork and beef) poses no threat to consumers.