Authors : C.I. Osu and S.A. Odoemelam
Abstract: Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury contamination of grains (groundnut, millet, wheat, guinea corn and bread fruit) grown and marketed in Nigeria were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The investigation showed that the samples analyzed contained 0.04�0.03-0.09�0.4 mg kg-1 Lead; 0.017�0.002-0.014�0.007 mg kg-1 cadmium; 0.008�0.002-0.022�0.011 mg kg-1 mercury. The levels of the various heavy metals were generally low and within statutory safe limits. The levels compared well with those reported for similar edible grains from some other parts of the world.
C.I. Osu and S.A. Odoemelam , 2007. Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg) Contamination of Edible Grains Grown and Marketed in Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2: 192-197.