Heavy Metals Assessment of Fish Samples Obtained from Selected Cold-Rooms in Ondo State of Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metals present in fish samples imported by cold-rooms in Ondo State were investigated. Samples were collected from seven (7) cold-rooms spread across Ondo State. The results indicated that the concentration of Cr>As>Co>Pb. The various concentrations of Chromium (Cr), Arsenic(As), Cobalt (Co) and Lead (Pb) were indicated in Tables 3. The concentration of Arsenic in all the fish samples ranged between 0.033 mg/kg and 0.215 mg/kg. Chromium (Cr) was found present in all the imported fish samples in all the cold-rooms across Ondo State. The concentrations of Cr ranged from 0.10 to 0.713 mg/kg. Cobalt (Co) concentrations in all the fish samples ranged between 0.012 to 0.281 mg/kg. Highest concentration of 0.281 mg/kg was found in clupea harengus from KD cold-room in Owo town and the lowest concentration of 0.012 mg/kg was found in micropogonias also sold by KD cold-room in Owo town. The concentrations of Lead (Pb) in all the fish samples ranged from 0.006 to 0.120 mg/kg. The highest concentration of 0.120 mg/kg was found present in scomber-scombrus and M.poutassou from OYI and KD cold-rooms both from Owo town. The results obtained will serve as a baseline for food Agencies in Nigeria to certify safety of fishes imported into this country from overseas before they are sold to the public for consumption.