Environmental exposure assessment of lead and cadmium in street vended foods sold in selected locations in Kenya

Abstract

The preparation and handling practices, as well as raw materials for street food vending businesses, could be sources of toxic heavy metals in street vended foods (SVFs). The objective of this study was to assess the levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination in ready-to-eat SVFs sold in selected locations within Thika town, Kenya. A total of 199 samples consisting of cereal-based foods, sliced fruits, salads, groundnuts, tubers, fresh fruit juices, eggs, smokies, and sausages were randomly collected for analysis. The concentration of Pb and Cd in street vended foods (SVFs) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicated that at least one of the food sample types was contaminated with Pb. The level of Pb contamination in SVFs ranged between 0.271 ± 0.070 and 1.891 ± 0.130 mg/kg with groundnuts recording significantly (p