Heavy Metal Concentrations in Selected Herbal Drinks Sold in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Their Toxicological Risk Assessment

Herbal beverages are one of the most popular drinks in Africa, especially in Nigeria.Nevertheless, most herbal beverages do not adhere to World Health Organization (WHO) standards.This study aims to examine the levels of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in selected herbal beverages and their toxicological risk assessment in children and adults in Abeokuta.Ten (10) samples of herbal drinks were obtained from vendors and delivered to the chemistry laboratory for examination.20 mL of each herbal sample was digested using the standard method and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for PTM estimation.The study's findings revealed a higher level of cadmium (Cd) in Black Horse, Action, Jigijigi, and Ogbonge (0.007±0.001, 0.005±0.001,0.006±0.001and0.004±0.000mg/L), Iron (Fe) in Otoge and Kondo (11.1±0.107 and 1.83±0.089mg/L), Manganese (Mn) in Otoge, Kondo, Jigi-jigi, Jaye, and Ogbonge (0.060±0.008, 0.123±0.014,0.080±0.010,0.134±0.015,and 0.070±0.009mg/L) than the WHO limit, while none of the herbal beverages contained copper (Cu).Iron (Fe) appears to be the most dosed metal, while the child population is more vulnerable to PTM exposure according to the average daily intake.The studied PTMs showed a negligible non-carcinogenic risk (<1) based on human health risk evaluations.Hence, the study offers pertinent data for evaluating the indirect consumption of PTMs through their availability in regularly consumed herbal drinks in Abeokuta and its environs.