Assessment of Trace Metal Levels In Commonly Edible Vegetables From Selected Markets In Lagos State, Nigeria

Consumption of food contaminated with heavy metals is a major source of health problems for man and animals. Three commonly edible Leafy vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus, Celosia argentea ,Cochorus olitoris) from Agboju and Iba markets , Lagos Nigeria were sampled, identified, digested and analyzed with the aid of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) as directed by APHA (American Public Health Association) to determine heavy metals concentration in them with the aim of ascertaining their edibility for human consumption. The mean concentration for each heavy metal in the samples gotten from each market were calculated, the comparison of these data was done amongst the two markets, and compared with the permissible levels set by the FAO and WHO. The results showed that the levels of Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Nickel, Selenium and Chromium present in the vegetable concentrated in the following order Fe>Pb>Zn>Cd>Ni>Cu>Cr>Se. With regards to vegetables in questions, analysis of variance showed that some vegetables accumulated metals more than each other and as such indicated that metals like copper, cadmium, selenium, iron and zinc are significant at P<0.05) while others were not. Whereas with regards to locations, Iron, cadmium and lead were significant at P< (0.05) while other metals were not significant P>0.05). With significant values of lead, cadmium and nickel, recorded in both Amaranthus hybridus and Celosia argentea vegetables, vegetables consumers must be weary of vegetables to buy and the market that is save to buy from, especially markets located very close to highways or close to major busy roads .