Analysis of Heavy Metals Content of Tobacco and Cigarettes sold in Wa Municipality of Upper West Region, Ghana.

Abstract

Metals are essential for a number of physiological processes in the human body, but can also be detrimental to our health when the concentration is not within the WHO/FAO/JECFA recommended permissible limits. The contents of selected Heavy Metals in tobacco and cigarette brands sold in the Wa Municipality of Upper West Region of Ghana were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Average concentrations of Arsenic, Lead, Cupper, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Cadmium, Nickel, Chromium and Selenium in tobacco and different cigarette brands were determined and compared to WHO/FAO/JECFA or other regions permissible limits of the Daily Intake or Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake of tobacco and cigarettes. The results obtained in this study estimate the mean of Lead, Manganese and Cadmium was slightly higher than the recommended permissible limits of WHO/FAO/JECFA and other regions and the necessary conclusions were drawn.

KEYWORDS: Heavy metals, chronic exposure, Tobacco plants, Cigarettes, Daily Intake.