scholarly journals Quantitation of Heavy Metals in Herbal Medicinal Drinks and Herbal Alcoholic Drinks in Lagos, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Herbal Preparations ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Alcoholic Drinks ◽  
Permissible Levels ◽  
Herbal Medicinal ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Herbal Mixtures

Herbal medicinal plants are the starting material for herbal preparations such as herbal medicines, herbal oil, herbal teas etc. Recently, herbal alcoholic drinks are being added to the list. The present study was done to check the presence of lead, cadmium, nickel and copper in different herbal medicinal mixtures and herbal alcoholic drinks, sold in the local markets in Lagos, Nigeria. The mixtures were digested and subjected to analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that lead ranged in the Herbal drinks and Mixtures from 0.00 mg/ml to 0.11 mg/ml, copper ranged from 0.00 mg/mi to 0.61mg/ml, chromium ranged from 0.00 mg/ml to 0.02 mg/ml, cadmium ranged from 0.00mg/ml to 0.01mg/ml and nickel ranged from 0.00 mg/ml to 0.02mg/ml. Some of these values are above the permissible levels for heavy metals intake by the World Health Organization. Consumption of these herbal mixtures could pose a serious health risk if consumed over a long period of time.

scholarly journals Safety of Herbal Medicines in Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevinç Polat ◽  
Ayşe Gürol
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Medicines Use ◽  
Herbal Medicinal ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
Health Organization

Herbal medicine is used by individuals of all ages, including children. Herbal medicine includes herbs, herbal materials and preparations, and finished herbal products. Herbal medicine or herbal products’ use for all ages have increased in recent years. Based on the data of the World Health Organization, almost 80% of the population in developing countries trust herbal medicines to meet their health needs. Herbal medicines use unconsciously as though these products are harmless. The use of herbal products in children is a concern because little information is available concerning the benefits and risks of these products in the pediatric population. This creates a serious problem in the treatment of children, and reveals a serious and under-recognized hazard in clinical care. The safety of most herbal medicinal products is absent since lack of suitable quality controls and not available of appropriate patient information. Owing to the possibility of serious health complications arising from the use of herbal products, it is mandatory to understand their use in the general population in order for appropriate measures to be put into place.

scholarly journals Heavy metals assay of herbal pharmaceutical effluent

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-166
Author(s):  
Aziz Ur Rahman ◽  
Muhammad Owais ◽  
Irfan Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
World Health ◽  
Allowable Limit ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
National Environmental

Environmental pollution particularly from heavy metals in effluent is the gravest problem in developing countries like Pakistan. Effluents of Herbal Pharmaceutical are waste water generated during Herbal Medicines manufacturing process. When these effluents deprived of appropriate treatment are released directly into the environment, results in potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. This research work examined the heavy metals parameters of effluents discharged by Herbal pharmaceutical industry in Karachi, Pakistan. In all, 08 parameters were studied. These include Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag and Pb. The study revealed that ranges of Ag and Fe were exceeding the allowable limit of WHO (World Health Organization) and NEQS (National Environmental Quality Standards). This calls for an immediate use of latest treatment plants to decrease the harmfulness that results from waste water.

scholarly journals The Health Benefits of Heavy Metals in Herbal Drinks, Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
World Health ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Medicinal Uses ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Permissible Levels ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Toxic Metal Contamination

Herbal drinks are on the increase as they are being imported into developing countries like Nigeria for perceived medicinal uses. The presence of heavy metals in herbal drinks has received special attention due to their interactions with drugs and consequent effect in public health. Toxic metal contamination of soil, aqueous waste streams and groundwater causes major environmental and human health problems. Ten brands of herbal drinks from different supermarkets in Nigeria were randomly sampled and purchased. All samples were pretreated using acid digestion and the concentration of selected heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Co, and Cr) and metals (Zn, Fe, Mg and Ca) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. For all the herbal samples analyzed, heavy metals such as arsenic (As) and Copper (Co) were the predominant heavy metals that were detected while the rest were of low significant values using the available analytical technique, also the analyzed metals that were equally present in large proportion were Magnesium and Calcium. The metals analyzed occur within varying concentrations. In comparison with permissible levels of herbal products by World Health Organization (Pb) 10ppm, (As) 10ppm, (Cd) 0.30ppm, it can be concluded that the herbal drinks although very useful and medicinal, they can pose health risk to the consumer if not properly processed or purified.

scholarly journals An analysis of heavy metals contamination and estimating the daily intakes of vegetables from Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 239784732098525
Author(s):  
Keneth Iceland Kasozi ◽  
Eric Oloya Otim ◽  
Herbert Izo Ninsiima ◽  
Gerald Zirintunda ◽  
Andrew Tamale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Daily Intakes

Background: Environmental contamination with elevated levels of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr6+), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni)—all states of which are found in Uganda—raises health risk to the public. Pb, Cr6+, Cd, and Ni for instance are generally considered nonessential to cellular functions, notwithstanding the importance of the oxidative state of the metals in bioavailability. As such, we aimed in this study (i) to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in four vegetables from a typical open-air market in Uganda, (ii) to assess the safety of consuming these vegetables against the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits of heavy metals consumption, and (iii) to formulate a model of estimated daily intake (EDI) among consumers in the country. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in five georeferenced markets of Bushenyi district in January 2020. Amaranthus, cabbages, scarlet eggplants, and tomatoes were collected from open markets, processed, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Modeled EDI, principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were conducted to identify relationships in the samples. Results: The levels of essential elements in the four vegetables were found to fall from Co > Cu > Fe > Zn. Those of non-essential metals were significantly higher and followed the pattern Cd > Cr > Pb > Ni. The highest EDI values were those of Cu in scarlet eggplants, Zn in amaranthus, Fe in amaranthus, Co in amaranthus, Pb in cabbages, total Cr in scarlet eggplant, Cd in cabbages and tomatoes, and Ni in cabbages. In comparison to international limits, EDIs for Zn, Cu, Co and Fe were low while Ni in cabbages were high. PCA showed high variations in scarlet eggplant and amaranthus. The study vegetables were found to be related with each other, not according to the location of the markets from where they were obtained, but according to their species by CA. Conclusion: The presence of non-essential elements above WHO limits raises policy challenges for the consumption and marketing of vegetables in the study area. Furthermore, low EDIs of essential elements in the vegetables create demand for nutritious foods to promote healthy communities.

scholarly journals Levels of heavy metals in soils and food crops cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
David Okechukwu Okeke ◽  
◽  
Jonathan Chinenye Ifemeje ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Food Crop ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Health Association ◽  
Health Organization

The level of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Mg, Ca, Hg, Ni, Cr, Zn, Ag, Co, Mo, Se and Al) in soils and food crops (okra, cassava and rice) cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using FS240AA Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) according to the method of American Public Health Association (APHA). Soil samples were collected from Enyigba mining site, Ikwo mining site, AmeriAmekamining site, Izza mining site, MkpumeAkwatakwa mining site and MpumeAkwaokuku mining site while the food crop samples (okra, cassava and rice) were collected from the farmlands within the mining sites. Control samples were collected 500m away from the mining destinations were there was no evidence of mining activities on the soils. A total of sixty sub-samples and six control soil samples were collected for this study. Generally, the values of all the heavy metals analyzed for soil and food crop samples were higher than the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and those from the control site suggesting possible mobility of the metals from mining sites to farmlands through leaching and runoffs. The findings in this study also revealed that the food crops contain heavy metals exceeding the maximum permissible concentration, and could be detrimental to human health when they are consumed.

scholarly journals HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN SOME SEAFOODS COLLECTED FROM MUARA ANGKE FISH AUCTION PLACE, JAKARTA.

1987 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Horas Hutagalung ◽  
Suwirma Syamsu
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Heavy Metal Content ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Health Organization

Determination of  heavy  metal  content  (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn) in some seafoods collected from  Muara  Angke  Fish  Auction  Place  were carried out during February to July 1979. The results showed  that Zn  content  in seafoods a nalyzed  was always much higher than the other heavy metals. The concentration levels of  the  six  heavy  metals observed were low. It is almost of the same level as the metal concentration of  other  seafoods  observed  in various parts of the world oceans, but still lower  than the maximum standard set  for human  consumption  as  established  by   Tasmania, Australia and  World Health Organization. The  mean  per capita  consumption of  fish  in Jakarta is only  about 165 g  per week, while  the  Provisional Tolerated Weekly Intake for Hg, set by WHO/FAO at 300 ug level, would be attained by consuming 1500 g Rastrelliger sp., or 698 gPenaeus setiferus, or 545 g Sepia sp., and or 1250 g Pecten sp.  Therefore,  at   present the  level of metal content in fishes sold at TPI  Muara  Angke  can be  considered  as  not  dangerous  to human health as long as these quantities are not surpassed.

scholarly journals Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Samples of Tunceli, Turkey

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 276-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olcay Kaplan ◽  
Nuran Cikcikoglu Yildirim ◽  
Numan Yildirim ◽  
Nilgun Tayhan
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
World Health ◽  
Environment Protection ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Supply Networks ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The City ◽  
Drinking Water Samples

The drinking water quality is associated with the conditions of the water supply networks, the pollution and the contamination of groundwater with pollutants of both anthropogenic and natural origin. In this study, water samples were taken from four different waterworks in Tunceli, Turkey and heavy metals concentrations (As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Hg) were measured. Four sampling sites were pre-defined in different locations of the city. The obtained results showed that, the heavy metals concentrations in water samples did not exceed the values of WHO (World Health Organization), EC (Europe Community), EPA (Environment Protection Agency) and TSE-266 (Turkish Standard) guidelines.

scholarly journals Consumption of Raw Herbal Medicines Is Associated with Major Public Health Risks amongst Ugandans

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Fred Ssempijja ◽  
Keneth Iceland Kasozi ◽  
Ejike Daniel Eze ◽  
Andrew Tamale ◽  
Sylvia Anurika Ewuzie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Vernonia Amygdalina ◽  
Increased Risk

Background. Community consumption of herbal plants in developing countries is a common practice, however, scarcity of information on their physiochemical composition is a major public health concern. In Uganda, Vernonia amygdalina is of interest in rural communities due to its therapeutical action on both bacterial and protozoal parasites, however no studies have been conducted to assess the heavy metal concentrations in traditional plants used in alternative medicine. The aim of the study was to establish concentrations of heavy metals in Vernonia amygdalina, model the estimated daily intake (EDI), and assess both the non-cancer-related health risk using the target hazard quotient (THQ), and the risk related to cancer through the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for the Ugandan population. Methods. Leaves of Vernonia amygdalina were collected from 20 georeferenced villages and processed into powder in the laboratory using standard methods. These were then analyzed in the laboratory using an atomic absorption spectrometer for lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni). Concentrations were compared against the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The EDI, THQ, and ILCR were modelled and significance was measured at 95% confidence. Results. The study showed that mean ± SEM concentrations of heavy metals were highest in the order of Cr, 121.8 ± 4.291 ppm > Ni, 84.09 ± 2.725 ppm > Zn, 53.87 ± 2.277 ppm > Pb, 40.61 ± 3.891 ppm > Cu, 28.75 ± 2.202 ppm > Fe, 14.15 ± 0.7271 ppm > Co, 7.923 ± 0.7674 ppm > Cd, 0.1163 ± 0.005714 ppm. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, Zn, Co, and Ni were significantly higher than the WHO limits. The EDI was significantly higher in children than in adults, demonstrating an increased risk of toxicity in children. The THQ and ILCR were over 1000 times higher in all Ugandans, demonstrating the undesirable health risks following oral consumption of Vernonia amygdalina due to very high Cr and Ni toxicities, respectively. Conclusion. Consumption of raw Vernonia amygdalina was associated with a high carcinogenic risk, demonstrating a need to enact policies to promote physiochemical screening of herbal medicines used in developing countries against toxic compounds.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of Surveys to Estimate Food Additive Intake

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 812
Author(s):  
Gina L. Trakman ◽  
Winnie Lin ◽  
Amy L. Wilson-O’Brien ◽  
Annalise Stanley ◽  
Amy L. Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kappa Coefficient ◽  
Food Additive ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Recent Part ◽  
Permissible Levels ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Development And Validation

(1) Background: The Food Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) International Food Standards Codex Alimentarius CXS 192e International Food Standards (hereafter, CODEX) declares additives non-toxic, but they have been associated with changes to the microbiota changes and thinning of the mucus layer of the gut. Their widespread use has occurred in parallel with increased inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence. This paper reports on the development and validation of surveys to estimate additive intake. (2) Methods: Dietitians created a food-additive database, with a focus on additives that have been associated with IBD. For each additive, information on the CODEX food-category they are permitted in and the associated maximum permissible levels (mg/kg) was recorded. Based on the database, questions to assess early life (part 1) and recent (part 2) additive intake were written. Forward–backward translation from English to Chinese was undertaken. Thirty-one individuals were evaluated to assess understandability. A further fifty-seven individuals completed the tool on two occasions, a fortnight apart; agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient or the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). (3) Results: The participants reported that it was difficult to remember food intake and estimate portion sizes. The participants also noted confusion around the term ‘home-grown’. Instructions and definitions were added; after this, respondents judged the questionnaires as clear. The average kappa coefficient for part 1 and part 2 questions were 0.61 and 0.67, respectively. The average ICC ranged from 0.30 to 0.94; three food lists were removed due to low reliability. (4) Conclusions: Two tools have been created and validated, in two languages, that reliably assess remote and recent food additive intake.

scholarly journals Historical Perspective of Traditional Indigenous Medical Practices: The Current Renaissance and Conservation of Herbal Resources

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-Yuan Pan ◽  
Gerhard Litscher ◽  
Si-Hua Gao ◽  
Shu-Feng Zhou ◽  
Zhi-Ling Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Traditional Remedies ◽  
The World ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Aging Societies

In recent years, increasing numbers of people have been choosing herbal medicines or products to improve their health conditions, either alone or in combination with others. Herbs are staging a comeback and herbal “renaissance” occurs all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, 75% of the world’s populations are using herbs for basic healthcare needs. Since the dawn of mankind, in fact, the use of herbs/plants has offered an effective medicine for the treatment of illnesses. Moreover, many conventional/pharmaceutical drugs are derived directly from both nature and traditional remedies distributed around the world. Up to now, the practice of herbal medicine entails the use of more than 53,000 species, and a number of these are facing the threat of extinction due to overexploitation. This paper aims to provide a review of the history andstatus quoof Chinese, Indian, and Arabic herbal medicines in terms of their significant contribution to the health promotion in present-day over-populated and aging societies. Attention will be focused on the depletion of plant resources on earth in meeting the increasing demand for herbs.

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