EVALUATION OF NIGERIAN PRODUCED CANNED BEER AND SOFT DRINK BEVERAGES STORED UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS FOR THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS OF HEAVY METAL INTRODUCTION

Although the beverage industry is regarded as a significant contributor to Nigerian economy, these beverages can contain variety of unwanted compounds such as heavy metals. Heavy metals are substances that affect hormones and have been linked to a number of health issues, including an increased risk of cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of storage conditions and heavy metal leaching in Nigerian made canned beer and soft beverages, as well as the potential health risks of heavy metal contamination in these drinks. This study evaluated the effects of three distinct storage temperatures (4, 30, and 40 o C) and four exposure durations (3, 7, 15, and 30 days) on two well-known alcoholic beverage brands and one non-alcoholic brand made in Nigeria. Using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, the concentrations of heavy metals in these samples were determined, and the risk to human health was assessed by calculating the hazard quotient and chronic daily intake. Heavy metals concentrations in outdoor (sun) temperature (40 o C) shows: Pb (0.069-0.156) ppm, NI (0.012-0.370) ppm, Cr (0.062-3.012) ppm, and Cd (0.002-0.037) ppm for B1. The concentrations of sample B2 for several metals: Pb (0.048-0.130) ppm, Ni (0.021-0.154) ppm, Cr (0.051-1.782) ppm, and Cd (0.005-0.020) ppm. B3 to fall between Pb (0.063 to 0.644) ppm, Ni (0.003-0.264) ppm, Cr (0.200-0.614) ppm, and Cd (0.001-0.035) ppm. More so, the room conditions (30 o C) for sample B2, Pb (0.004 - 0.129) ppm, Cd (0.005 - 0.010) ppm, Cr (0.119 - 3.566) ppm, and Ni (0.005 - 0.151) ppm. Then for B1, Pb (0.075 - 0.190) ppm, Cd (0.001 - 0.045) ppm, Cr (0.230 - 2.606) ppm, and Ni (0.009 - 0.314) ppm, while in sample B3, Pb (0.010 - 0.153) ppm, Cd (0.002 - 0.033) ppm, Cr (0.182 - 0.789) ppm, and Ni (0.004 – 0.222) ppm. Fridge temperature (4 o C) for sample B2, Pb (0.028 - 0.127) ppm, Cd (0.003 - 0.017) ppm, Cr (0.294 - 1.952) ppm, and Ni (0.004 - 0.266) ppm. In B1, it ranged from Pb (0.034 - 0.162) ppm, Cd (0.002 - 0.030) ppm, Cr (0.415 - 1.087) ppm, and Ni (0.020 - 0.426) ppm. Where as in B3, the range was from Pb (0.017 - 0.157) ppm, Cd (0.004 - 0.040) ppm, Cr (0.070 - 1.340) ppm, and Ni (0.020 - 0.261) ppm. However, under the study storage circumstances, there was no discernible variation in the amounts of heavy metals. Both adults and children who regularly consume canned beer and soft drinks tainted with heavy metals have a probable health risk, according to the calculated risk of cancer and non - cancer.