August 2011, Volume 2, No.

4
International Journal of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Lead and cadmium levels in shell foods, raw

vegetables and restaurant drinking water in Metro
Manila, Philippines
Judilynn N. Soliduma,b
a
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,College of Pharmacy, Director, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino,University
of the Philippines, Manila Corners Taft Avenue and Pedro Gil, Manila (02)5262273
b
Corresponding autor
graloheus@yahoo.com

Abstract
Metro Manila, Philippines is a highly urbanized area in the Philippines. With continued technological progress and with the growth in
population, there is concomitant increase in pollutants. Lead had been observed to be present in plants, soil, water, rainwater, street
foods and human blood in the aforementioned area. Intoxication from it may result to problems in the nervous system. Other heavy
metals like cadmium which may cause kidney damage may also be present in the place as these substances, once introduced in the
environment are hard to biodegrade. Daily food regimen of Filipinos may be contaminated by the above said chemicals. This study
generally aimed to assess the presence of lead and cadmium in shell foods, raw vegetables and drinking water from restaurants in
Metro Manila, Philippines as these are part of the regular Filipino menu. Specifically, this research aimed to obtain the concentration
of lead and cadmium from the collected samples and compare it with the set standard limits; project the blood levels of lead and
cadmium upon ingestion of the samples and compare it with its set safe blood limits. All samples were acid digested and subjected to
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for the quantitative analysis. Golden Snails and oysters approached the standard limits set for
lead and cadmium in food, respectively. Bitter gourd and sweet potato went above the standard limits set for lead and cadmium
respectively. The mean lead and cadmium levels in the thirteen water samples analyzed exceeded both limits set for the heavy metals
lead and cadmium. Projected levels of lead in the blood exceeded the safe limit for all shell foods except for the snails and shrimp
body. Not one analyzed shell food exceeded the safe blood limit set for cadmium. Sweet potato, bitter gourd, and eggplant were the
only samples that exceeded the safe blood lead levels for the tested raw vegetables. None of it exceeded the limit for safe cadmium
blood level. The projected blood concentration for drinking water neared the safe blood level set for lead but not for cadmium. It is
recommended that researches on the simplest, most cost effective remediation procedure for the environment be started. Moves to
revolutionize processes that affect integrity of commodities must be initiated. Results of the remediation studies must be applied and
evaluated. The outcome of this study should serve as guidelines for the local or national government for policy making or
implementation of existing laws to safeguard public from ill effects of toxicants in shell foods, raw vegetables and drinking water
from restaurants in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Keywords: Lead, cadmium, shell foods, raw vegetables, drinking water

on the other hand, ranged from 0.3266 to 0.7329 ppm [3].

1. Introduction
Metro Manila being a highly urbanized city in the
National Capital Region in the Philippines is polluted.
Literatures state that in the environment there are lots
of chemicals which include heavy metals, organic
solvents, pesticides, which are hazardous to human health
even at very low concentration[1]. Different samples in
Metro Manila were found to contain lead. The mean
concentrations of lead in plant, soil, rainwater and blood
samples are 0.25 to 17.36 ppm, 83.74 to 183.51 ppm, 0.95
to 1.29 ppm,5 to 38 ug/dL respectively [2]. Street foods
also showed levels of lead which ranged from 0.5667 to
0.7924 ppm. Mean lead from combined main and additive
raw materials to prepare the different popular street foods
Further tap, deewell and Baywalk water were observed to
contain the mean lead concentrations 0.6059ppm, 0.4489
ppm,2.4801ppm respectively[4].
Lead attacks the bone marrows, the peripheral and
central nervous systems on chronic exposure[2].How lead
is being taken up , distributed and reaches equilibrium in
blood, bone and soft tissues are said to be complex [5].
Lead is readily absorbed through inhalation. Organic lead
compounds are also absorbed dermally. Adults, absorb
around 20-30% of the heavy metal on ingestion while
children absorb up to 50% [5].It is difficult to assess the
causal relationship of exposure to lead and the occurrence
of toxic effects due to time delay from use to
manifestation of untoward clinical signs and symptoms
[6, 7].
 Lead and cadmium levels in shell foods, raw vegetables and restaurant drinking water in Metro Manila, Philippines
Cadmium was once an environmental toxicant in
Japan that resulted to itai-itai (ouch-ouch), a disease
characterized by severe arthralgia and osteomalacia in
middle- aged, postmenopausal women with low calcium
and vitamin D intake. Cadmium attacks the kidneys
particularly chronic poisoning, lungs on acute inhalation
and the gastrointestinal tract on acute ingestion
[8,5].About 25% and 5% cadmium is absorbed by
inhalation and ingestion, respectively. It is not well
absorbed dermally (0.5%) [5,6,9]. Cadmium is classified
as a human carcinogen by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) [6].
Acceptable oral limits of cadmium include 0.09
ug/kg bw/day [10], 0.05ppm in food like chocolates
(FAO/WHO) [11] and 0.005ppm for water [12].
The WHO has established a Provisional Tolerable Daily
intake for cadmium of 1 ug/kg bw/day. The allowable set
standard limits of the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) for lead in foods is at 0.5ppm and 0.015ppm for
water [12].
As the earth approximates that of a closed system only
energy is exchanged but not matter. Together with the rise
in population, and continued urbanization, pollutants
abound and contaminate drinking water, food taken from
the sea and food grown from the soil [1].
This study will equip the public readers of information
regarding lead and cadmium in shell foods, raw
vegetables and drinking water from restaurants in Metro
Manila, Philippines. This will enable them to make
intelligent choices for the sake of their health. As for the
academicians, the results of this study will equip them
with facts that they can impart to their students which will
empower them, academically. From this research, other
researchers are envisioned to be encouraged to do further
studies for the remediation of the environment and for the
total revolution of processes that affect the integrity of
the raw products. The outcome of this study will allow the
Government to draft policies or implement existing ones
to safeguard the public from ill effects of lead and
cadmium from the commodities tested.
1.2 Conceptual framework
INPUT
I. Collection of shell foods, raw vegetables, drinking
water from restaurants
II. Physical Preparation and storage of the samples for
analysis
THROUGHPUT
I. Chemical preparation of the samples or acid
digestion
II. FAAS of lead levels in tahong shells and water after
Treatment with tahong shells
235
OUTPUT
I .Levels of lead and cadmium in the samp;les
II Projected levels of lead and cadmium in the blood
1.3. Objectives of the Study
In general, this research aimed to assess the presence
of lead and cadmium in shell foods, raw vegetables and
drinking water from restaurants collected in Metro
Manila, Philippines. Specifically this study aimed
To obtain the concentration of lead and cadmium
from shell foods, raw vegetables and drinking water
from restaurants collected in Metro Manila
To compare the levels of lead and cadmium
with the standard limits set for it
To project blood levels of lead and
cadmium upon possible oral intake of the samples
analyzed
To compare the projected blood levels of lead and
cadmium with standard safe limits
1.4 Scope and limitation of the study
For this study, only shell foods, raw vegetables and
drinking water from restaurants collected in Metro
Manila, Philippines were analyzed. Lead and Cadmium
levels were assessed. Other heavy metals were not
considered. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was
used for the quantitative analysis
2. Material and Method
2.1 Research Design
This research followed the descriptive-quantitative
type of study. Samples collected were prepared in the
laboratory using acid digestion prior to its quantitative
analysis utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.
2.2 Location
The study was conducted in the Metro Manila area of
the Philippines.
2.3 Sample Collection
Shell foods and raw vegetables were collected from
wet market vendors while drinking water samples were
obtained from restaurants within the Metro Manila area of
the Philippines.
2.4 Sample Preparation
The shell foods were prepared by separating the shells
from the meat. The meat potion was homogenized. Only
these parts were analyzed for lead and cadmium.
Raw vegetables were cut in very small pieces..The
solid samples were stored in plastic containers. Drinking
water samples were stored in used mineral bottles.
2.5 Analysis of lead and cadmium levels of shell foods,
raw vegetables and drinking water from restaurants
For the solid samples, five grams of the sample was
digested in 10ml concentrated nitric acid in an open glass
 Lead and cadmium levels in shell foods, raw vegetables and restaurant drinking water in Metro Manila, Philippines

container overnight, at room temperature, and the next Table 2 Projected blood levels of lead and cadmium upon
ingestion of shell foods
day at 80 C for 5 hours. It was cooled to room
Shell foods Lead Cadmium
temperature, and the volume was adjusted to 50 ml with
Snail 9.4 ug/dL 1.335 ug/L
distilled water and then analyzed using flameless atomic Oyster 13.005 ug/dL 2.405 ug/L
absorption spectroscopy [adapted 13]. Golden snail 24.01 ug/dL 1.255 ug/L
One hundred mL of the water sample filtrate were Asian green mussel 10.335 ug/dL 0.13 ug/L
collected in a beaker. Five mL of concentrated fuming Shrimp head 10.805 ug/dL 1.16 ug/L
nitric acid were added to the filtrate and the resulting Shrimp body 8.495 ug/dL 0.555 ug/L
solution was immediately covered with a watch glass.
Samples were heated in a hotplate and evaporated to 50 Of all the raw vegetables sampled, only bitter gourd
mL without boiling. When the volume was reduced to at 0.7498ppm exceeded the 0.5ppm standard set limit for
half, the sides of the beaker and the watch glass were lead in food. The rest of the vegetables sayote,
washed with freshly distilled water and then 3 mL of string beans, carrots, raddish, sweet potato, cabbage and
nitric acid were added to the solution. The samples were eggplant went below US EPA standard. The public must
heated again and evaporated to around 40 mL. When the be made aware of the findings, especially that in the
samples have cooled down, they were filtered again using Philippines bitter gourd is highly advertised as anti-
#2 Whatman filter paper. The filter paper was washed diabetic substance. Sweet potato exceeded the allowable
around the funnel three times and the washings were set limit by FDA for cadmium in food at 0.05ppm while
collected in 50 mL volumetric flask. Samples were the rest of the samples analyzed went below it. Sweet
diluted to volume using distilled water and transferred to potato is commonly eaten by Filipinos who belong to the
a high density polyethylene container. Samples were lower economic stratum. Thirteen water samples from
stored at 28-30C then analyzed using Atomic Absorption different restaurants (includes well known and small
Spectroscopy [adapted13]. eateries) in Metro Manila, Philippines showed that its
mean exceeded the allowed set limit by US EPA for
3. Results and Discussion water at 0.015ppm for lead and 0.005ppm for
cadmium..The lead levels are 0.193 ppm for lead and
Based on the standard limits set by the US EPA for 0.0186 for cadmium.
lead and FDA for cadmium for food at 0.5ppm and
Table 3 Mean lead and cadmium (ppm) levels from raw
0.05ppm, respectively, none of the shell foods sampled vegetables and drinking water
exceeded the specifications. However, the meat of the Raw vegetables Lead Cadmium
golden snails (0.4802ppm) and oysters (0.0481ppm) Sayote 0.0086 SD 0.1314 0.0119 SD 0.0172
have lead and cadmium levels respectively which are String beans 0.0466 SD 0.1343 -0.00993SD 0.0174
Carrots 0.1085 SD 0.1578 0.0001 SD 0.0236
close to the set safety limits. It was observed that lead and
Raddish 0.1732 SD 0.0435 -0.00297SD 0.0196
cadmium are higher in shrimp head than in the shrimp Sweet potato 0.2633 SD 0.0857 0.0542 SD 0.0107
body (Table 1). Bitter gourd 0.7498 SD 0.2876 -0.0132 SD 0.0027
Table 1 Mean lead and cadmium (ppm) levels from shell foods Cabbage 0.1691 SD 0.0124 -0.0103 SD 0.0048
Shell foods Lead Cadmium Eggplant 0.3941 SD 0.0181 0.0026 SD 0.0095
Snail 0.188 SD 0.0098 0.0267 SD 0.0048 Drinking water 0.193 SD 0.0544 0.0186 SD 0.0241
Oyster 0.2601 SD 0.1038 0.0481 SD 0.0252
Golden snail 0.4802 SD 0.3321 0.0251 SD 0.0110 For the projected blood levels of lead, it was shown
Asian green mussel 0.2067 SD0.0574 0.0026 SD 0.0049 that sweet potato (13.165ug/dL), bitter gourd
Shrimp head 0.2161 SD 0.1111 0.0232 SD 0.0099 (37.165ug/dL) and eggplant (19.705ug/dL) went beyond
Shrimp body 0.1699 SD 0.0352 0.0111 SD 0.0139
the 10ug/dL safe limit. The rest of the samples went
The Center for Disease Control lowered its below it including water though the value at 9.65 ug/dL
recommended biological limit on childrens blood lead to is near the set limit. Together with water, none of the raw
10ug/dL from 20ug/dL because recent findings showed vegetables analyzed went beyond the safe blood levels
that at 10ug/dL, developmental toxicity especially for for cadmium. The highest concentration was projected
pre-school kids can be seen with lower IQ scores and from sweet potato at 2.71 ug/L (Table 4).
impaired hearing and growth [14].The allowed safe blood
Table 4 Projected blood levels of lead and cadmium upon
limits of cadmium is set at 5ug/L[15] . ingestion of raw vegetables
Following 50% absorption upon ingestion, all shell Raw vegetables Lead Cadmium
foods could result to blood lead levels beyond the safe Sayote 0.43 ug/dL 0.595 ug/L
limits except for snail (9.4ug/dL) and shrimp body String beans 2.33 ug/dL -0.495 ug/L
Carrots 5.425 ug/dL 0.005 ug/L
(8.495ug/dL). At 5% absorption of cadmium upon
Raddish 8.66 ug/dL -0.145 ug/L
ingestion, none of the shell foods could exceed the safe Sweet potato 13.165 ug/dL 2.71 ug/L
blood levels set for the said heavy metal (Table 2). Bitter gourd 37.49 ug/dL -0.66 ug/L
Cabbage 8.455 ug/dL -0.515 ug/L
Eggplant 19.705 ug/dL 0.13 ug/L
Drinking water 9.65 ug/dL 0.93 ug/L

236
 Lead and cadmium levels in shell foods, raw vegetables and restaurant drinking water in Metro Manila, Philippines
Lead and cadmium are cumulative poisons. Although
the amount of these heavy metals in most of the
samples tested did not exceed the standard limits set for
food, water and blood levels, a portion of the substance
will definitely be retained and stored in ones body. The
intoxication is usually chronic in nature. Environment
must be remediated from pollution to yield cleaner
commodities.
4. Conclusions
Golden Snails and oysters approached the standard
limits set for lead and cadmium in food, respectively.
Bitter gourd and sweet potato went above the standard
limits set for lead and cadmium respectively. The mean
lead and cadmium levels in the thirteen water samples
analyzed exceeded both limits set for the heavy metals.
Projected levels of lead in the blood exceeded the safe
limit for all shell foods except for the snails and shrimp
body. Not one analyzed shell food exceeded the safe
blood limit set for cadmium. Sweet potato bitter gourd
and eggplant were the only samples that exceeded the
safe blood lead levels for the tested raw vegetables. None
of it exceeded the safe cadmium blood level. The
projected blood concentration for drinking water neared
the safe blood level set for lead but not for cadmium.
Researches on the simplest, most cost effective
remediation of t h e environment and m o v e s to
revolutionize processes that affect integrity of
commodities must be initiated. Results of the
remediation studies must be applied and evaluated. The
results of this study should serve as guidelines for the
local or national government for policy making or
implementation of existing laws to safeguard public from
ill effects of toxicants in shell foods, raw vegetables and
drinking water from restaurants in Metro Manila,
Philippines.
237
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