Fifty pediatric syrups sold in Awka, Nigeria, were ashed, digested and analyzed for chromium, nickel and manganese by atomic absorption spectrometry. Chromium was detected in 9 of 34 Nigerian-made syrups at up to 0.58 mg/L and in only one of 16 imported syrups.
Key numbers
- Nigerian-made syrups: chromium 0.01 mg/L (Magcid suspension) to 0.58 mg/L (Emvite); 73.6% non-detectable (Table 1, pp. 1974 to 1975).
- Imported syrups: chromium non-detectable except Cephalexin syrup at 0.01 mg/L (Table 2, p. 1976).
- Instrument detection limit printed as 0.001 without a unit; blank 0.001 mg/L (Methods, p. 1974).
Methods (brief)
Dry ashing at 200 then 500 degrees C, aqua regia digestion, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS 205A); intake estimated assuming 5 mL per dose.
Evidence fitness
Supports total chromium occurrence in a convenience set of pediatric syrups in one Nigerian town in 2007 to 2008. It does not establish chromium species, product-level risk or current market conditions.
Limitations
Single analysis per product with no reference material or recovery reported; detection limit unit not stated; the intake example in Table 3 reports results in mg/mL, which does not follow from the mg/L inputs.
Related evidence
Update history
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