foods Article Detection, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metals/Metalloids, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Goat Carcasses Processed for Human Consumption in South-Eastern Nigeria Emmanuel O. Njoga 1,* , Ekene V. Ezenduka 1 , Chiazor G. Ogbodo 1, Chukwuka U. Ogbonna 2 , Ishmael F. Jaja 3 , Anthony C. Ofomatah 4 and Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala 5,* 1 Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria;
[email protected] (E.V.E.);
[email protected] (C.G.O.) 2 Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State 110124, Nigeria;
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[email protected] 4 National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria;
[email protected] 5 Department of Functional Food Products Development, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland Citation: Njoga, E.O.; Ezenduka, * Correspondence:
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[email protected] (C.O.R.O.) E.V.; Ogbodo, C.G.; Ogbonna, C.U.; Jaja, I.F.; Ofomatah, A.C.; Okpala, Abstract: Notwithstanding the increased toxic heavy metals/metalloids (THMs) accumulation in C.O.R. Detection, Distribution and (edible) organs owed to goat0s feeding habit and anthropogenic activities, the chevon remains Health Risk Assessment of Toxic increasingly relished as a special delicacy in Nigeria. Specific to the South-Eastern region, however, Heavy Metals/Metalloids, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Goat there is paucity of relevant data regarding the prevalence of THMs in goat carcasses processed for Carcasses Processed for Human human consumption.