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Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Locally Produced Dry Gin and Associated Health Risks in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Subject area: Physical Sciences and Environment · Area of research: Environmental, Geology
Abstract
The contamination of alcoholic beverages with heavy metals poses serious public health concerns, particularly when their concentrations exceed safe limits established by regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO). This study evaluates the toxicological profile of heavy metals in locally produced dry gin from Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and assesses the associated health risks. Thirty (30) gin samples were collected from production centers in Atubu Creek-Onuebum and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) to determine the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). The results revealed significant concentrations of As (1.553 ? 0.101 ?g/mL), Hg (1.683 ? 0.209 ?g/mL), Pb (3.123 ? 0.25 ?g/mL), Cu (0.240 ? 0.002 ?g/mL), and Mn (0.613 ? 0.05 ?g/mL). Comparing these values with WHO permissible limits for drinking water and alcoholic beverages, the concentrations of As (0.01 ?g/mL), Hg (0.006 ?g/mL), and Pb (0.01 ?g/mL) were found to be significantly higher in the gin samples, indicating potential health risks such as neurotoxicity, organ damage, and carcinogenic effects. While Cu and Mn were detected within WHO safe limits (2.0 ?g/mL for Cu and 0.5 ?g/mL for Mn), their presence in alcoholic beverages still raises concerns due to the potential for bioaccumulation. Other metals, including Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn, were detected at trace levels but remained below WHO limits. The high concentrations of heavy metals in local dry gin may be attributed to contamination from raw materials, production techniques, and storage conditions. Given these findings, urgent regulatory intervention, public sensitization, and stricter enforcement of production standards are necessary to mitigate heavy metal exposure from local alcoholic beverages.
Keywords
Heavy metals, local dry gin, toxicological assessment, WHO limits, health risks, Ogbia LGA, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS).
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How to cite this paper
@article{1707251,
author = {Appah Matthew Omomoni, Ochu Abdulmajeed, Okene Doutimi Tebekaemi, Akpoufuoma Oghenetega Friday, Toby David Timipere},
title = {Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Locally Produced Dry Gin and Associated Health Risks in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {8},
number = {8},
pages = {857-866},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1707251.pdf},
abstract = {The contamination of alcoholic beverages with heavy metals poses serious public health concerns, particularly when their concentrations exceed safe limits established by regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO). This study evaluates the toxicological profile of heavy metals in locally produced dry gin from Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and assesses the associated health risks. Thirty (30) gin samples were collected from production centers in Atubu Creek-Onuebum and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) to determine the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). The results revealed significant concentrations of As (1.553 ? 0.101 ?g/mL), Hg (1.683 ? 0.209 ?g/mL), Pb (3.123 ? 0.25 ?g/mL), Cu (0.240 ? 0.002 ?g/mL), and Mn (0.613 ? 0.05 ?g/mL). Comparing these values with WHO permissible limits for drinking water and alcoholic beverages, the concentrations of As (0.01 ?g/mL), Hg (0.006 ?g/mL), and Pb (0.01 ?g/mL) were found to be significantly higher in the gin samples, indicating potential health risks such as neurotoxicity, organ damage, and carcinogenic effects. While Cu and Mn were detected within WHO safe limits (2.0 ?g/mL for Cu and 0.5 ?g/mL for Mn), their presence in alcoholic beverages still raises concerns due to the potential for bioaccumulation. Other metals, including Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn, were detected at trace levels but remained below WHO limits. The high concentrations of heavy metals in local dry gin may be attributed to contamination from raw materials, production techniques, and storage conditions. Given these findings, urgent regulatory intervention, public sensitization, and stricter enforcement of production standards are necessary to mitigate heavy metal exposure from local alcoholic beverages.},
keywords = {Heavy metals, local dry gin, toxicological assessment, WHO limits, health risks, Ogbia LGA, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS).},
month = {February},
}