摘要：Abstract This research was conducted to assess the safety of herbs available in the Kumasi central market with regards to heavy metal contamination. A total of 15 medicinal herbs were randomly collected. The levels of iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The levels of the metals were in the range of 2.51–7.06 mg/kg for Fe, 0.44–0.89 mg/kg for Pb, 0.21–1.07 mg/kg for Zn and 0.11–0.53 mg/kg for Cd. This shows that most of the metal concentration levels in the herbs were within the WHO maximum permissible limits (WHO MPL) of 15 mg/kg for Fe, 100 mg/kg for Zn and 10 mg/kg for Pb. Four samples, however, had Cd levels above the WHO MPL of 0.3 mg/kg. There was a positive correlation between Cd and Zn. However, there was no correlation between the remaining metals. Considering the levels of heavy metals, the medicinal herb samples investigated are considered unsafe for human consumption.
