Cadmium And Lead Contents Of Unpackaged Tapioca Exposed For Sale In Selected Markets In Lagos, South West Nigeria

Abstract

The levels of cadmium and lead in unpackaged Tapioca, a cassava product, consumed as breakfast meal from five selected markets were investigated using the anodic stripping voltammetry.  The levels of cadmium in tapioca ranged from 1.7 to 2.7ug/g, while the lead contents ranged from 5.2 to 7.6ug/g.  Analysis of the results using the t- test shows that the lead level in tapioca samples from Agege, Orile Agege and Oyingbo did not differ significantly (p≤0.05) from each other.  However, they differed significantly from those samples from Oke-Odo and Mushin.  The cadmium levels in Tapioca samples from Agege, Mushin and Oke-Odo differed significantly (p≤0.05) from the samples of tapioca from Orile Agege and Oyingbo.  The level of the contaminants did not exceed the level found in human milk in studies carried out by World Health Organization in selected countries.  The results provide reliable information on the possible dangers arising from the consumption of unpackaged tapioca exposed to contaminants on high traffic motorways.