Prevalence of lead (pb) residues in kidney and liver of slaughtered pigs at SaboWakama market of Akun development area of Nasarawa state, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of Lead (Pb) in liver and kidney samples of slaughtered pigs at Sabo Wakama Market of Akun-Development Area of Nasarawa State was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. A total of thirty number of samples were collected for analyses and all the samples were positive for Lead residues. The highest and lowest concentration of Lead (Pb) residue in liver and kidney were found to be among the age groups of 0-2 years and those at 3-5 years respectively. There was a significant difference (P< 0.05) in the concentration of Lead in liver and kidney samples of the different age groups of the slaughtered pigs. The mean Lead concentration in liver and kidney of all the age ranges is higher than the maximum permissible level of Lead (0.5 mg/kg) in edible offal of pig recommended by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO, 2002). It is therefore obvious that the liver and kidney of the slaughtered pigs at Sabo Wakama Market of AkunDevelopment Area contain Lead residues. This finding needs an immediate attention of health regulatory authorities and the researchers as well. There is an urgent need of local database or risk assessment studies in local food animals to assess the potential risk to animals and humans from heavy metals residue.