Major chemical carcinogens and health exposure risks in some therapeutic herbal plants in Nigeria

Overview

This study measured cadmium and chromium concentrations in three medicinal and food-use herbal plants consumed as tea or food in Northern Nigeria: baobab (Adansonia digitata), guava (Psidium guajava), and papaya (Carica papaya). Samples were collected from three northern Nigerian states (Borno, Jigawa, Kano), analyzed by a validated method, and assessed for cancer and non-cancer health risk using hazard quotient and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) approaches. The paper presents Cd and Cr as the primary chemical carcinogens of concern in these commonly consumed botanicals.

Key numbers

Metals measured: Cd and Cr. Three plant species: Adansonia digitata, Psidium guajava, Carica papaya. States sampled: Borno, Jigawa, Kano (Northern Nigeria). Health risk metrics: hazard quotient (HQ) for non-cancer risk; ILCR for cancer risk. Specific concentration values (µg/kg) are in the full paper tables and flagged for extraction during synthesis.

Methods (brief)

Validated analytical method (specific instrument not confirmed from abstract; likely AAS or ICP-based given the journal). Acid digestion of dried plant material. Health risk assessment using USEPA oral exposure equations. Sample n=3 plant species (multiple samples per species implied).

Implications

Certification: Herbal botanicals consumed as tea or food ingredients carry measurable Cd and Cr loads; Northern Nigerian origin specifically flagged. Relevant to certification of products containing baobab, guava leaf, or papaya leaf extracts. Courses: Case study for carcinogen risk assessment in herbal ingredient supply chains from sub-Saharan Africa. App: Supports contamination_profile entries for herbal-plant ingredients; geographic note for Northern Nigeria origin.

Wiki pages updated on ingest

• herbal-plants
• Cadmium
• Chromium

Update history

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