Effect of Singeing Materials on Distribution of Some Metals in Liver and Kidney Samples of Capra aegagrus hircus Slaughtered in Uyo Village Road Abattoir in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria and Health Risk Assessment

A number of local butchers in Uyo metropolis usually make use of used scrap car tyres (USCT) and condemned plastics (CPS) as close substitutes for firewood to singe slaughtered ruminants. This study evaluated the effect of singeing materials on the distribution of some metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe) in liver and kidney samples of Capra aegagrus hircus (goat) slaughtered in Uyo Village Road Abattoir in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks for children and adults were also estimated using Estimated Chronic Daily Intake (ECDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Indices (HI) of metals in liver and kidney. Relative to unsinged samples, singed treatments generally demonstrated elevated heavy metal levels in both goat liver and the kidney. Apart from nickel, iron and zinc, the range of values obtained for all the metals in singed samples studied were above the threshold stipulated by the Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization. The health risk assessment revealed Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr as potential carcinogens in the signed samples evaluated. The continuous use of these dangerous materials for singeing of goat meat for human consumption poses great risk to human health and should be discontinued.