Abstract

Heavy metals, such as cadmium, arsenic and lead, are important environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Their presence in the atmosphere, soil and water, even in traces can cause serious problems to all organisms, and heavy metal bioaccumulation in the food chain especially can be highly dangerous to human health. Heavy metals enter the human body mainly through two routes namely: inhalation and ingestion, ingestion being the main route of exposure to these elements in human population. Heavy metals intake by human populations through food chain has been reported in many countries. This research work evaluated the level of heavy metals in plantain flour displayed in open containers for sale in ten locations alongside two packaged brands in Osun State. Heavy metals in the 12 samples were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).The average concentration for each heavy metal in all the samples ranged between 0 – 120.23 mg/kg for arsenic, 0.50 – 4.51 mg/kg for cadmium and lead was not detected in any of the samples. These findings indicate that foods displayed in open containers in markets or road sides are contaminated by the polluted environments. Excessive consumption can increase the level of heavy metal contamination in the body which may affect the health of the consumers.