Open AccessHeavy metals contamination of some polyherbal products from Lagos state, Nigeria
Author(s) -
MacDonald Idu,
AUTHOR_ID,
Ovuakporie-Uvo Oghale,
A.A. Jimoh,
AUTHOR_ID,
AUTHOR_ID
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of ayurvedic and herbal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2454-5023
DOI - 10.31254/jahm.2015.1206
Subject(s) - cadmium , mercury (programming language) , zinc , heavy metals , atomic absorption spectroscopy , chromium , environmental chemistry , metal , copper , chemistry , contamination , magnesium , metallurgy , nuclear chemistry , materials science , biology , physics , ecology , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
Background: A “heavy metal” refers to any metallic element that has a high density and is toxic or poisonous even at low concentration. Aim of study: To investigate the heavy metal contents of thirty used polyherbal products purchased from different vendors in Lagos State. Materials and methods:Using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the heavy metals Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr) and Magnesium (Mg) were tested. Results: Pb, Cd, Hg and Cr were absent in polyherbals analyzed in this study. The concentrations of Zn(0.025- 0.42) ppm, Cu(0.017-0.31 ppm) and Mg (0.02-0.55)were below WHO/FAO permissible limits. Conclusion: This study has shown that the heavy metals content of most poly-herbals sold in Lagos State is below WHO/FAO permissible limits.