Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Soft Plastic Toys Sold in Uyo Main Market

Abstract

Polymers are materials widely used in industry and many areas of life. Polymers contain a wide variety of
additives (plasticizers, antioxidants, stabilizers, curing agents, colouring agents etc.) tofulfill their physical
and chemical properties. These components are present in a wide range of concentrations usually form t
race to a few percentages level. The concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, e t c. In plastic baby t
oys, for instance, is regulated in many countries due to the toxicity of these elements. The research is con
ducted to determining the level of heavy metals Pb, Cd, Hg and As) in toys sold in Uyo Main Market. Toy
samples randomly selected were tested for PVC before the analysis and found to be all positive. Digestion
with concentrated acids (HNOᴣ and H2O2), were carried out in triplicate using the atomic absorption
spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were presented and compared with the WHO standards of acceptable
limit.