Determination of Potentially Toxic Metals in Over-the-Counter Pediatric Drugs and Commonly Consumed Beverages in Nigeria: A Health Concern

This study investigated the levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn in over-the-counter (OTC) pediatric drugs and commonly consumed beverages in Nigeria. This was done to evaluate the possible health implications of these metals in humans who regularly consume the products. Seven commonly administered OTC pediatric syrups and eight brands of beverages were randomly purchased from various pharmaceutical shops and stores located within Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria. Metal concentrations in the acid digested samples were profiled using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS).The mean concentrations (µg/mL) of the metals in the OTC pediatric drugs ranged from Below Detection Limit (BDL) in Cd to 6.75 ± 0.06 in Pb, while for the beverages the mean concentrations ranged between Below Detection Limit (BDL) in Cd and 8.79 ± 0.23in Zn. The Pb levels in the sampled drugs were generally above the threshold levels set by the European Food Safety Authority for children's foods and significantly higher than the values of Pb in the beverages. Caution should be exercised to avoid indiscriminate administration of the OTC drugs and beverages to infants and children to reduce the prevalence of toxic metals-induced short or long term effects among them.