Review on Measurement of Heavy Metals and their Health Implications using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Technique in Some Parts of Nigeria

The Contamination caused by heavy metals in the environment has attracted global attention owing to its abundance, persistence and environmental toxicity. Both natural and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the abundant of heavy metals in the environment. However, anthropogenic activities can effortlessly generate heavy metals in sediment, soils, and water that pollute the human and aquatic environment. Heavy metals are toxic environmental substances which may accumulate in a food chain and pose threat to the health of humans. The present study reviewed the presence of heavy metals and their health implications in some part of the country. Heavy metal has been reported in different literature both local and international to have cause toxic effect on man and the environment. Common sources of heavy metals are from mining and industrial wastes, vehicle emissions, lead acid batteries, fertilizers, paints treated woods, aging water supply infrastructures and micro plastic floating in oceans. Some heavy metals such as Cd and Pb may be present in children’s toys and high level that exceeds regulatory standards. Since, the diversity of environmental contaminants increased exponentially, with countless anthropogenic sources. Therefore, the diverse and emerging issues of food security and environmental quality have become a Nigerians concern, particularly their inextricable association with human health. Based on this reviewed work, it was observed a higher level of heavy metal concentrations in areas like Kano, adamawa, Niger Delta and those with low level include Ekiti& Kaduna state e. t. c.