Assessment of some Heavy Metals in the Vital Organs of some selected Ruminant Animals from Hadejia Central Abbattoir, Jigawa State - Nigeria
Abstract
Pollution of Environment by Toxic metals poses a serious threat to public health, as these metals can accumulate in the environment and be transferred up the Food chain, leading to Harmful Health effects in Animals and Humans. This study was conducted in order to Assess the concentration of some heavy metal levels namely, Lead, Cadmium, Zinc and Chromium in, liver, Heart and Kidney of Cattle, Sheep and Goat slaughtered at Hadejia Central Abattoir, Hadejia Local Government, Jigawa State, Nigeria fresh samples of liver, heart and kidney were collected from hadejia abbattoir, digested and analyzed using Microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Results obtained were compared with Joint SON/WHO Guidelines. The concentrations of the metals (Cd, Crand Pb) ranged from 0.00±0.00 to 0.02±0.00 mg/kg for Cd, 0.01±0.00 to 0.06±0.00 mg/kg for Cr,0.01±0.00 to 0.02±0.00 mg/kg for Pb, 1.72±0.26 to 3.54±1.23 mg/kg for Zn in the liver of cattle, goat and sheep. Similarly, the concentrations of the metals in the heart of cattle, goat and sheeps were found in the following ranges 0.00±0.00 to 0.01±0.00 mg/kg for Cd, 0.03±0.00 to 0.05±0.00 mg/kg for Cr, 0.01±0.00 to 0.02±0.00 mg/kg for Pband 3.20±0.11 to 3.28±0.05 mg/kg for Zn. Likewise, the concentration ranges of 0.01±0.00 to 0.02±0.00 mg/kg for Cd, 0.01±0.00 to 0.04±0.00 mg/kg for Cr, 0.0±0.00 to 0.03±0.00 mg/kg for Pband 2.35±0.70 to 2.96±0.12 mg/kg. The concentrations of Cd, Pband Crwere lower than the maximum permissible limit of WHO/SON. But zinc levels in all the Analysed organs were above the permissible limit. Therefore liver, heart and kidney of cattle, goat and sheep have been contaminated with zinc. Results from ANOVA indicated no significant difference in heavy metal levels between the Analyzed organs in The Analyzed Animals at pvalue greater than 0.05.
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Introduction
Following the Significant increase in the levels of heavy metals pollution from various sources such as Industry, Agriculture and Mining, there is real cause for concern about the potential impact on human health [1]. Heavy metals like lead and zinc are very Harmful because they accumulate in the body'stissues and organs over the time [1]. The Accelerated pace of industrialization and urbanisation has been identified as a remarkable contributors to pollution, as human activities associated with these process such as discharge of industrial wastes, improper disposal of trash and increased energy consumption have brought negative impacts on the environment [2]. Industrialisation has undeniably brought about numerous advancements and opportunities for prosperity, but at the same time, has introduced environmental problems that has affected our fragile ecosystem [3]. In Nigeria, Ruminants Animals often forage freely and drinkwater from sources that may be polluted with heavy metals. These sources may include ditches, streams and rivers all of which are susceptible to pollution from Industrial and Agricultural runoff. This is a significant risk factor for buildup of heavy metals in the tissues of Ruminants Animals [4]. The ingestion of these contaminants by Animals can results in the accumulation of residual toxic metals in their meat leading to potential health risk for those who consume the meat. Cattle grazing on soil contaminated with heavy metals has been linked to increased levels of toxic metals in beef and mutton, this highlight the health risk associated with consumption of these Animal products [5]. Given the prevalence nature of toxic metals in the environment, complete avoidance of contamination in animal feeds may be challenging. However, it is essential to mitigate and minimize such contamination in order to safeguard animal’shealth in order to reduce the indirect impacts on human health through consumption of contaminated animal products [6]. Potentially fatal diseases have been known to develop as a result of excessive uptake of dietary heavy metals. This could include drastic reduction of some Essential nutrients in the body thereby weakening the body’sdefense system, intrauterine growth Retardation, impaired psycho-social behaviors, disabilities associated with malnutrition and a high prevalence of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer [7]. Hadejia Central Abattoir was considered for this study because it is the largest Abattoir supplying live Animals and Meat to the Residents of the Area. Ruminants Animals such as Cattle and sheep are often at risk of heavy metals Contamination due to their ability to accumulate these toxic metals in their bodies over time, so analysis of Cd, Cr, Pband Zn can help asses the Health of Animals as well as the potential danger to Humans. Despite the potential health risk associated with the accumulation of heavy metals in meat products, there hasn'tbeen any previous Research that specifically investigate the levels of Cd, Cr, Pband Zn in the internal organs of Ruminants Animals from Hadejia central abattoir. This lack of data, highlights the need for a Research to better understand the presence and impact of Heavy metals in meat products from the Abattoir. The overall aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of these Heavy metals and to assess the safety of consuming liver, Heart and Kidney of Cattle, Goat and Sheep from Hadejia Central Abattior.
Conclusion
The study successfully determined the concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pband Zn in the liver, heart and kidney of cattle, goat and sheep from Hadejia Abattoir.
Zinc levels are Above the permissible limit but other Heavy metals (Cr, Cd, and Pb) are within the safe limits set by WHO and SON. This suggest that the Cattle, Goat and Sheep in Hadejia Abattoir might have been exposed to high level of Zinc, but other Metals are not a concern. This high Concentration of Zinc might come from the Ingestion of Food and water that is high in zinc by Cattle, Goat and Sheep. Therefore Liver, Heart and Kidney of Cattle, Goat and Sheep from Hadejia central Abbatior might not to be safe for Consumption with regard to Zn concentrations. However, they might be safe for consumption with respect to observed concentrations of Cr, Cdand Pb. The present study has exposed the potential risk associated with consumption of these organs considering the high concentration of zinc detected in them. Further Research should be carried out to ensure that these toxic metals are maintained at an acceptable limit. Also because of the priority the Recent study has Accorded to the safety of the peoples consuming this meat, other toxic metals and vital organs not considered in this Research should also be studied CONFLICT OF INTEREST The Authors have declares that no conflict of interest exist FUNDING SOURCE This project is self-funded as Authors did not receive any financial Assistance from any Governmental or Non-Governmental Organizations.
