Evaluation of lead and cadmium levels in some commonly consumed vegetables in the Niger-Delta oil area of Nigeria.

摘要

This study investigated the levels of lead and cadmium contamination of some commonly consumed vegetables, i.e. bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), water leaf (Talinum triangulare), spinach (Amaranthus hybridus) and pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis), obtained from farmlands in the western Niger Delta area. Results showed a higher level of lead than cadmium in the vegetables frown in all study towns (Ekiadolor, Aladja, Ekpan and Forcados). The levels of recorded in vegetables from the industrial areas of Aladja, Ekpan and Forcados were at least 10-fold (cadmium) and 5-fold (lead) higher than those recorded in the typical rural setting of Ekiadolor. A. hybridus accumulated the highest amount of cadmium (0.35+or-0.04 micro g/g in Forcados; 0.06+or-0.1 micro g/g in Aladja; 0.20+or-0.04 micro g/g in Ekpan), while Telfairia occidentalis accumulated the highest amount of lead (4.91+or-0.43 micro g/g in Ekpan; 3.23+or-0.32 micro g/g in Forcados; 1.61+or-0.27 micro g/g in Aladja) compared with the other vegetables. Cadmium and lead concentrations in commonly consumed vegetables in the industrial towns of the Niger Delta are slightly high and may pose a health risk for the population which subsists on the vegetables. Values obtained in this study can be used as a reference point, as no measurements of lead and cadmium levels in vegetables from these areas have been reported..