Assessment of Heavy Metals and Human Health Risk in Pastas Consumed in Makurdi, Benue State

This is investigated heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, and Cr) bio-concentration and bioaccumulation in Spaghetti consumed in Makurdi, Nigeria. The pasta samples were collected randomly from five markets (Modern, Wurukum, High level, Wadata and North Bank) in Makurdi and analyzed for the heavy metals by the atomic Absorption spectrophotometric technique after acid digestion. some human health risk Parameters: daily dietary Intake (DDI), daily intake of metals (DIM), health risk index (I-IRI), and target hazard quotient ((THQ) were also calculated. Heavy metal risk index (HRI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) were also calculated Heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in spaghetti across the markets ranged as Pb (1.52), Ni (3.57), Zn (O.39), Cd (0.40), Cr (19.95). The metal concentrations obtained were above the permissible limits recommended by the WHO/FAO, except Pb which was not detected in four (4)markets Comparing the DIM, DDI, HRI and THQ values with reference oral dose (RfDo), suggested that the consumption of spaghetti is nearly free of risks.(THQ) value of the heavy metal were less than one(l) indicating that there is a relative absence of health risk THQ in all metals is less equal to one (l) Cr which is greater in some of the markets in spaghetti indicating that there is no serious potential health risk. Precautionary measures should be taken to avoid bioaccumulation of these heavy metals. Therefore, it is concluded that these, pasta are partially safe for public consumption as they contain high amount of heavy metals that would constitute danger of metals poisoning.