The Concentration of Lead in Some Herbs Sold in Port-Harcourt Nigeria

Abstract

This study reports the concentration of Pb in G1,G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, and G7 herbal powders, sampled from four sites in oil-mill, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. The samples were digested using a tri-acid mixture (HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄ – 5:1:1). The Lead content of the digests obtained was determined by Atomic Absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results showed that 100% of the samples contained Pb in concentrations ranging from 0.034+ 0.048 to 0.350 + 0.030 mg/g with G4 recording the highest concentration and G2 recording the least. The pb concentration recorded in all the samples were above the WHO  limits (0.01mg/g dry weight of drug).There was   no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the value of Pb  among the samples. This study indicated that the samples analyzed were contaminated with abnormal levels of Pb sufficient enough to expose the consumers of the products to adverse health effects of the metal.