Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Offals and Skin of Cattle and Pigs Slaughtered in some Abattoirs in Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria

The health risks of some heavy metals in selected offals and skins of cattle and pigs slaughtered at Modern Market and Wurukum Abattoirs in Makurdi Metropolis was investigated. A total of twenty four (24) samples were purchased from the abattoirs. The samples were digested and analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The results showed that Cd, Cr and Pb were not detected in any of the samples while copper and zinc were detected in all the samples except in skin of cattle at Modern Market Abattoir where copper was not detected. The concentrations (mg/kg) of zinc ranged from 47.14±1.01 - 81.42±0.76, 37.69±0.89 - 81.05±1.40, 79.34±0.57 - 135.13±2.20 and 10.15±0.13 - 37.96±0.69 for heart, kidney, liver and skin samples of both animals respectively. The levels of copper (mg/kg) in both animals ranged from 0.35±0.18 - 9.48±0.20, 0.68±0.06 - 2.24±0.23, 0.85±0.05 - 11.07±0.33 and ND - 0.73±0.16 for heart, kidney, liver and skin samples respectively. The values of copper and zinc in this research were below the 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respective maximum limits set by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for all foodstuffs except in livers of cattle and pig at Modern Market Abattoir where Cu was 11.07 mg/kg and Zn was 135.13 mg/kg. There was no risk posed to human health based on the hazard index values which were all less than one (1).