Articles - Chemical Science & Engineering Research

Abstract

Samples of Telfaria occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin) planted in Trans Amadi Industrial Area were assessed to determine their heavy metal concentrations as well as the health effects on the potential consumers, due to the availability of residential buildings around the industrial area. Samples were treated with concentrated trioxonitrate V and perchloric acid on a hot plate before analysing the selected metals with an absorption spectrophotometer and flow injection mercury system (FIMS). The heavy metal concentration in this green leaf vegetable (Telfaria occidentalis) were; Lead (3.505 mg/kg), Cadmium (1.556 mg/kg), Chromium (13.91 mg/kg), Nickel (6.371 mg/kg), Arsenic (1.526 mg/kg), Cobalt (0.424 mg/kg), Vanadium (0.043 mg/kg), Copper (23.637). Results obtained show that the heavy metal concentration in Telfaria occidentalis in Trans Amadi Industrial Area was above World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit with a very large variation. Statistical evaluation revealed a very strong negative correlation as indicated from Pearson correlation coefficient > - 0.05. The high heavy metal concentration of this green leaf vegetable is largely due to the high level of industrial activities as well as urbanization of Trans Amadi Industrial area characterized by fuel emissions from vehicles due to high traffic, industrial effluent discharges, metal emissions from industrial raw materials and waste. Consumption of this green leaf vegetable may expose the consumers to several health hazards ranging from cancers, liver damage, kidney failure, bronchitis. Government is therefore advised to ban agricultural practice in industrial and heavily urbanized area to prevent the contamination of agricultural produce due industrialization and urbanization. Adequate compensation should be paid to inhabitants whose lands are used for industrial activities to enable them secure arable lands for agricultural purposes far away from industrial areas.