Hematotoxicity status of lead and three other heavy metals in cow slaughtered for human consumption in Jos, Nigeria

Heavy metals are of public health concern worldwide due to their damaging effects on human and animal health, the environment and life in general. This study assessed concentration levels of some toxic heavy metals: Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) in blood samples of ten (10) cattle slaughtered in two areas (Jos North and South) of Plateau State, Northern Nigeria. The results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standard for heavy metals allowable content in food. The samples were analyzed for Cd, Pb, Cu and Mg in triplicates by Shimadzu Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA 6800) after wet digestion. The results of the analysis indicated that the levels in parts per million (ppm) range from 0.4169 to 3.0302 for Pb; 0.0067 to 0.0204 for Cd; 0.1112 to 0.9845 for Mg and 0.0027 to 0.0326 for Cu. The mean concentration of Pb was found to be higher than the WHO acceptable limit, while Cd, Cu and Mg were within the WHO acceptable limit. The high value of Pb might be attributed to impact of environmental pollution from diverse mineral resource base of Jos metropolitan city and this has health implication on consumers. Key words: Toxicological status, health implication, heavy metals, blood, abattoir.