Concentrations and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Medicinal Herbs from Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Fe, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Zn) in most consumed medicinal herbs in Northern Nigeria were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Twenty medicinal herbs were selected and purchased from the local markets. The findings of the study revealed that the investigated herb samples contained considerable levels of elements; Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd, and Cr above the permissible limits. The health risk observed as hazard index (HI) indicated that values were >1, in some samples. Therefore, the consumption of these studied medicinal herbs should be monitored to prevent the health implication due to a high level of these elements in the medicinal herbs.