Abstract:
Heavy metals induce oxidative stress within bodies and are suspect of various chronic diseases such
as cancer, mental retardation, hepatoxicity and kidney failure. The study aimed at establishing heavy metal
contamination and safety of consumption of sugarcane grown along Ngong tributary of Nairobi River. The
Sugarcane crop was sampled randomly from three distinct regions along the river based on pollution activities
in the dry month of January 2017 and their juices extracted. Levels of copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and
Chromium (Cr) were determined by modified AOAC official method 999.10 using Inductively Coupled Plasma
mass spectrophotometer. Health risk assessment was done by FAO, 2006 and FAO/WHO2011 official methods
based on a survey conducted in slums along the tributary and various owners of sugarcane farms. The Cu, Cd
and Cr levels in sugarcane juices were between, 0.2-0.8mg/l, 0.0034-0.0146mg/l and 1.056-3.481mg/l
respectively indicating significant differences (p<0.05) of Cu and Cd in sugarcane juices in the highly polluted
industrial zone along the river. The total estimated daily intakes (EDI) for adults and children was >1 .Target
Hazard Quotient for adults and children were within the safe limits. Since heavy metals are bioaccumalative in
nature it is recommended that utmost care and analysis be conducted before consumption.
