No abstract

The use of indiscriminate ripening agents (e.g., Calcium Carbide) to improve fruit ripening exposes fruits to heavy metal contamination, which can have long-term health consequences for consumers. The purpose of this study was to determine the heavy metals levels of albino rats fed Musa acuminata treated with different ripening agents and also to ascertain through probabilistic models and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards, the extent of health risk and carcinogenicity to the consumers. Twenty-five (25) female albino rats were acclimatized for two weeks after which they were divided into five groups. Group 1 (Normal feed and water), Group 2 (feed + 20g of naturally ripened banana), Group 3 (Feed + 20g of banana ripened with African bush mango), Group 4 (Feed + 20g of banana ripened with 7g calcium carbide), Group 5 (Feed + 20g of banana ripened with 30g calcium carbide). The levels of Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), and Chromium (Cr) were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The result showed an increase in the levels of Pb and As for groups 2, 3, 4, and 5. Groups 4 and 5 for Cr were