ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN THE BLOOD SAMPLES OF LIVESTOCK FROM ABATTOIR IN KADUNA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA - NIGERIA

This study was conducted to assess the concentrations of heavy metals in blood samples collected from selected livestock (cows) slaughtered at abattoirs within Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique was used for elemental analysis after the wet acid digestion and health risk assessments were also carried out. The heavy metal content (mg/l) in cow blood samples from Zango abattoir were in the range of 0.404 to 0.418, 0.174 to 0.240 and 0.256 to 0.299 for Cd, Cu and Pb respectively. However in the cow blood samples from Makera abattoir, the heavy metal concentration (mg/l) were in the range of 0.392 to 0.428, 0.032 to 0.128 and 0.252 to 0.351 for Cd, Cu and Pb. Non-carcinogenic analysis indicated that the Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) for all examined metals remained below 1, signifying a lower risk for non-carcinogenic health effects. However, the Cumulative Hazard Index (HI) indicated values surpassing 1 for Pb and Cd in the animal species, suggesting potential health risks due to cumulative exposure. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values for all the heavy metals analysed were below the Reference Dose (RfD). The carcinogenic analysis, concentrations of Cd exhibited an incremental lifetime cancer risk exceeding the allowable limit (10-6), although within the moderate risk limit, while Pb remained within the permissible threshold (10-6). Consequently, this study suggests that the examined animals could represent significant sources of heavy metal exposure for humans over extended periods.