FOOD GRINDING STONES AS A SOURCE OF HEAVY METALS CONTAMINATION OF DIETS

Richard C. Ehiri; Ugochukwu G. Megwa and Omaka N. Omaka

Department of Industrial Chemistry

Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria

E-mail: richcee2003@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The heavy metals contamination of diets by using food grinding stones in ten families in Nkalagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria is reported in this study. Melon seeds were used in both the experimental and control samples and heavy metal analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results show that the mean concentration of heavy metals added by the stones to diets were 0.184, 0.259, 0.204, 0.790, 2.390 and 0.648 ppm for arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, iron and zinc respectively. These values were all below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for copper, iron and zinc. Furthermore, the proportion of these metals added by the grinding stones is significant for copper (p>0.05) and not significant for both iron and zinc (p<0.05) at the 5% level of significance when compared with their RDA values. Adequate care should be taken in using food grinding stones to avoid heavy metals loading of diets and their associated toxicity.

Keywords: Heavy Metal; Contamination; Diet; Food Grinding Stone.