Heavy Metal Status and Health Risks Assessment of Some Local Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Consumed in Aba, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the levels heavy metals and health risk assessment in some local alcoholic (local gin, palm wine and herbal gin) and non-alcoholic beverages (zobo drink, kunu aya, and smoothies) consumed in Aba, Nigeria. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentrations of Cr, Cd and Pb exceeded their respective standard maximum permissible limits. Computed hazard quotient was within safe limit (HQ<1) in all the studied samples, indicating that there were no potential non-carcinogenic health risks associated with consumption of these beverages with respect to Mn, Cr, Cd, Zn, Co, Cu, Fe and Pb. The incremental life cancer risk for Pb were within safe limit while the cancer risks of Cd in children exceeded the safe limit. The incremental life cancer risk for ingestion of Cr through alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were higher than the safe limit (<1.0 x 10-4). The unacceptable high values of incremental life cancer risk for Cd and Cr demonstrated high prospect of potential life carcinogenic health risks in Nigerian child and adult population.