DETERMINATION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM IN SOME HERBAL PREPARATIONS SOLD BY HAWKERS IN ZARIA AND ENVIRONS

ABSTRACT

Most people administer herbal preparations of different types without considering their side effects. Six sites were selected for the study based on the frequency of consumption. The areas were Kofar Doka, Danmagaji, Tudunwada, Sabongari, Kwangila and Samaru. Five different samples were randomly collected from each area of the study. Wet digestion method was employed to obtain clear solution of the sample. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique was used to quantify the levels of Lead and Cadmium in the digested samples. The results obtained showed that the mean level of Lead in the analysed samples ranges from 0.086 to 0.258mg/l, while that of Cadmium ranges from 0.005 to 0.022mg/l. The levels of Lead and Cadmium were found to exceed the WHO and USEPA permissible maximum guideline limits.