Preliminary Study of Heavy Metals in Low-Cost Jewelry Items Available in Nigerian Markets.

Abstract

Background: Many developing countries either lack or have weakly enforced regulations on imported goods. A high percentage of low-cost jewelry items in Nigeria are imported from abroad. There is concern about the levels of heavy metals present in these products.

Objectives: The present study examined the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in inexpensive jewelry purchased from retail wholesale shops in Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria.

Methods: One hundred (100) assorted jewelry items were digested in dilute nitric acid solution followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis.

Results: Out of the total number of jewelry items analyzed, 12% of them had Pb concentrations above European Union (EU) safety limits. Also, 63%, 42% and 62% of items had Cd, Cr and Ni average concentrations above their EU limits. Notably, 3%, 27% and 8% of the items had Pb, Cd and Cr concentrations over 10³ times above their EU limits Overall, Cd showed the highest average level in rings (256,952 mg/kg) followed by bracelets (60,627 mg/kg) and earrings (54,388 mg/kg). All metals in solid bangles were within their EU guidelines.

Conclusions: Given the significant deleterious impacts of these metals on human health, low-cost jewelry poses a serious potential threat to users' health. Policies to guarantee the safety of low-cost jewelry items must be established and enforced.

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests.