Metal hazard on the health safety of the people of two towns in the oil producing area of Akwa-Ibom State

Abstract

Garri processed from cassava, one of the most common staple crop throughout tropical Africa, Asia and South America, were traditionally done. The effect of processing methods on the chemical pollutant loads were studied using twenty four matured, male wistar rats fed with blends of garri, while the control rats fed with rat ration only. The raw cassava and smoked fish used for the experiment were examined to assess the level of their contamination. Garri processed from the raw materials sourced from the two towns were compared by evaluating the effect the processing had in reducing the concentration of the pollutants. It was shown from the results that the feed had metal pollutants that would ultimately affect consumers of the food and, equally the effect of processing on the reduction of the metal pollutant load of the various feed ratios. The results also showed the prospect of processing on the safety of the foods and invariably, the health of consumers.

Keywords: Garri, Consumers health, metal – pollutants, food safety, processing methods