Assessment of Public Health Risk Associated with Consumption of Dominant Edible Animal Species of the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Bawa-Allah, K.
Saliu, J.
Otitoloju, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ife Journal of Science
Abstract
Heavy metals bio-accumulated in edible aquatic animal species pre-dispose final consumers to adverse health
effects of these toxins. Edible animal species were collected from the Lagos lagoon, Nigeria where elevated
concentrations of heavy metals have been documented over the years. The concentrations of heavy metals in
the animal species were determined and the potential health risk to three age groups of the population,
associated with consumption of these species was assessed by calculating Daily Intake of Metals (DIM) and
Health Risk Index (HRI). The levels of heavy metals recorded in the tissues of the animal species were below
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) recommended limits in food, except for Zn (47.60 ppm) in
Tympanotonus fuscatus. FAO recommended limits for Zn in food is 30.00 ppm. The DIM and HRI for all heavy
metals analyzed were < 1 (unity) in the three animal species and for all age groups indicating that utilization of
the species as a protein source does not currently pose serious health risk to consumers. The relative safety
associated with utilization of edible animal species from the Lagos lagoon as a protein source reported in this
study can only be maintained if heavy metal concentrations in the lagoon are kept within acceptable limits by
setting effective effluent limitation standards and enforcing the set standards.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Bio concentration , Heavy metals , Pollution , Public health , Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES
Citation
Bawa-Allah, K., Saliu, J. and Otitoloju, A. (2018). Assessment of Public Health Risk Associated with Consumption of Dominant Edible Animal Species of the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria.