Preliminary Study of Heavy Metals in Low-Cost Jewelry Items Available in Nigerian Markets

BACKGROUND. Many developing countries either lack or have weakly enforced regulations on imported goods. A high percentage of low-cost jewelry items in Nigeria are imported from abroad. There is concern about the levels of heavy metals present in these products. OBJECTIVES. The present study examined the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in inexpensive jewelry purchased from retail wholesale shops in Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria. METHODS. One hundred (100) assorted jewelry items were digested in dilute nitric acid solution followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis. RESULTS. Out of the total number of jewelry items analyzed, 12% of them had Pb concentrations above European Union (EU) safety limits. Also, 63%, 42% and 62% of items had Cd, Cr and Ni average concentrations above their EU limits. Notably, 3%, 27% and 8% of the items had Pb, Cd and Cr concentrations over 10(3) times above their EU limits Overall, Cd showed the highest average level in rings (256,952 mg/kg) followed by bracelets (60,627 mg/kg) and earrings (54,388 mg/kg). All metals in solid bangles were within their EU guidelines. CONCLUSIONS. Given the significant deleterious impacts of these metals on human health, low-cost jewelry poses a serious potential threat to users' health. Policies to guarantee the safety of low-cost jewelry items must be established and enforced. COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests.