Zoology-Scholarly Publications

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Heavy metals in vegetables collected from selected farm and market sites in Lagos, Nigeria
(2012-09) Kanife, U. C.; Wright, C.; Doherty, V.F; Sogbanmu, Temitope O.
This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals (copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)) in five vegetables viz; Cochorus olitorus (Jew’s mallow), Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter-leaf), Talimum triangulare (Water-leaf), Talifaria occidentalis (Flutted pumpkin) and Spinachcia oleracea (Spinach) and soil collected from selected farm and market sites in industrial, residential and commercial areas of Lagos state. The heavy metals present in the vegetables and soil were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results reveal that all the heavy metals were detected in both soil and vegetables from the various sites but at concentrations below the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) safe limit of 40, 60, 5, and 0.2 mg/kg for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) respectively in vegetables. Also, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the heavy metals found in vegetables collected from industrial, residential and commercial areas. The results hence shows that vegetables consumed in Lagos state are safe for consumption.