Determination of Some Heavy Metals (Cu, Co, Ni) in Edible Clay from South Eastern Nigeria and Its Effect Due to Consumption

Determination of heavy metal contents in edible clay (kaolin) from Enyigba in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State of Nigeria was carried out using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The quantitative analysis of heavy metal analyzed in the edible clay sample were 0.012 mg/kg for Co, 0.113 mg/kg for Cu and 0.712 mg/kg for Ni. This study shows that the levels of these heavy metals (Co, Cu and Ni) in kaolin are below the permissible limits as established by the regulatory organization (World Health Organization, WHO). Compared to the safety intake levels for these heavy metals recommended by US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM), and Agency for toxic substance and disease Registry (ATSDR), the dietary intakes of the three heavy metals from daily consumption of 20 g of kaolin should pose no health risk to human.