Heavy metal contents in some brands of cigarette in Nigeria. – C. M.A. Iwegbue, G.O. Tesi, F.I Bassey, C L. Overah and G. E. Nwajei
January 13, 2021Journal Vol.7 No1&2
ABSTRACT
The levels of selected heavy metals in popular cigarette brands sold in Nigeria were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The levels of metals in these of cigarette ranged from 10.08-38.89 µg/g for Cu, 23.75-49.72 µg/g for Zn, 68.70-495 µg/g for Ba, 102-251 µg/g for Mn, <0.001-5.24 µg/g for Ni, ND-3.22 µg/g for Pb, ND-3.38 µg/g for Cd while the levels of Co,Cr ,V and Hg were below their respective detection limit. The results of the study revealed that cigarette contained elevated levels of Ba, Mn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn. Cigarette smoking represents a potential source of exposure to metal by human.