Determination of Heavy Metal Residues in Slaughtered Camels at Sokoto and Gusau Modern Abattoirs, Nigeria

BACKGROUND. Heavy metals can pose health risks to both animals and humans. Objectives. To determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) in samples taken from the kidney, liver, muscle, hide, and blood of camels slaughtered at both Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs. METHODS. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr in tissues and organs of camels slaughtered at both Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A total of 120 samples were collected. RESULTS. All the samples collected tested positive for Pb, Cd and Cr. The overall mean concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in tissues and organs of slaughtered camels at Sokoto modern abattoir ranged from 0.11 mg/kg to 0.35 mg/kg, 0.05 to 0.8 mg/kg and 0.41 to 0.59 mg/kg, respectively, while at Gusau modern abattoir, the overall mean concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr ranged from 0.20 mg/kg to 1.17 mg/kg, 0.01 to 0.14 mg/kg and 0.13 to 0.51 mg/kg, respectively. DISCUSSION. The concentration of Pb in the tissues and organs of camels slaughtered at Gusau modern abattoir was high compared to in camels slaughtered at Sokoto modern abattoir, while the concentrations of Cd and Cr in the tissues and organs of camels slaughtered at Sokoto modern abattoir were high compared to those in tissues and organs of camels slaughtered at Gusau modern abattoir. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr in samples taken from the kidney, liver, muscle, hide, and blood of slaughtered camels at both Sokoto and Gusau. CONCLUSIONS. Camels slaughtered at both Sokoto and Gusau modern abattoirs were exposed to Pb, Cd, and Cr. The tissues and organs of camels slaughtered at both Sokoto and Gusau contain Pb, Cd, and Cr. Prolonged exposure through consumption of these tissues and organs should be avoided. COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests.