Home            Contact us            FAQs
    
      Journal Home      |      Aim & Scope     |     Author(s) Information      |      Editorial Board      |      MSP Download Statistics

     Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences

    Abstract
2012(Vol.4, Issue:04)
Article Information:

Heavy Metal Contamination of Green Leafy Vegetable Gardens in Itam Road Construction Site in Uyo, Nigeria

O. Otitoju, M.I. Akpanabiatu, G.T.O. Otitoju, J.I. Ndem, A.F. Uwah, E.O. Akpanyung and J.T. Ekanem
Corresponding Author:  O. Otitoju 
Submitted: September 21, 2011
Accepted: November 04, 2011
Published: April 15, 2012
Abstract:
Human exposure to heavy metals is a subject of public health concern that have attracted the attention of researchers, health and nutrition experts all over the world. Green Leafy Vegetables (GLVs) are important part of diets in the South-South Region of Nigeria. Consumption of vegetables exposed to heavy metals contamination may lead to serious health complications. In this investigation, we estimated the concentrations of some heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Al, Cd, Fe and Zn) in GLVs harvested from vegetable gardens in the residential areas along Itam road construction site, Uyo, Nigeria. The results showed that Pb, Hg, Al and Cd concentrations were significantly high (p<0.05) in all exposed GLV samples than the control but Teliferia occidentalis had higher values of heavy metals than Talinium triangulare. However, zinc and iron levels in the GLV exposed samples were not significantly (p>0.05) higher than the control. Our findings showed that heavy metal contamination of edible vegetable is high at road construction sites and may impact negatively on the health of human and animals living in such environment. We suggest that health impact assessment be carried out at construction sites in order to suggest necessary measure that can alleviate the effects of such environmental contaminants.

Key words:  Health impact, heavy metals, nutrition, toxicity, , ,
Abstract PDF HTML
Cite this Reference:
O. Otitoju, M.I. Akpanabiatu, G.T.O. Otitoju, J.I. Ndem, A.F. Uwah, E.O. Akpanyung and J.T. Ekanem, . Heavy Metal Contamination of Green Leafy Vegetable Gardens in Itam Road Construction Site in Uyo, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (04): 371-375.
ISSN (Online):  2041-0492
ISSN (Print):   2041-0484
Submit Manuscript
   Information
   Sales & Services
Home   |  Contact us   |  About us   |  Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2024. MAXWELL Scientific Publication Corp., All rights reserved