Evaluation of the Concentrations of Some Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) and Long Term Exposure Due to Daily Consumption of Ready-to-Eat Foods Sold at Petrol Station’s Atmospheric Conditions (AF) in Calabar Metropolis

Background: Heavy metals contamination has been reported at petrol station environments. There is a possibility of contamination foods around petrol stations.

Objectives: In this study, the concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr, long term exposure and daily consumption of ready-to-eat food foods sold at Petrol station’s Atmospheric conditions (AF) in Calabar Metropolis was evaluated.

Methods: Foods samples, including such prepared ready-to-eat foods were collected at the point of sale at the fuel stations in Calabar Nigeria, about 7:00am in the morning before they were opened for sale (and exposed to the environment of the filling stations). These were labelled “Before”. At about 2:00pm to 3:00pm same day, the same ready-to-eat food samples were collected again at the same spots, for a duration of 3 months.

Results: In this study, the levels of Pb, Cd and Cr were determined in some ready-to-eat foods that are sold around the filling station environments in Calabar metropolis. The results obtained showed that the levels of Pb and Cd were significantly (p<0.05) increased in garri, afang soup, melon soup, white rice, beans, stew and meat pie, while the level of and Cr was significantly (p<0.05) increased in afang soup, melon soup, white rice, beans, stew and meat pie after 6 hours of exposure to petrol station’s atmospheric conditions.

Conclusion: From this study, it may be concluded that exposure of ready-to-eat foods at the filling station’s atmospheric conditions may cause heavy metal contamination to the foods, particularly Pb, Cd and Cr.