Assessment of toxic levels of Toxic Heavy-metals. Contaminants in Marketed Molasses (tobacco) at Baghdad

This a cross-sectional random sample analysis study. The aim of study is to detect the levels of the toxic heavy-metals those commonly found in the samples of Molasses) tobacco) being sold in the local markets of Baghdad city. In the research we have randomly collected 20 sample of molasses (tobacco) from the local markets of Baghdad city to determine the levels of heavy-metals lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel and cobalt (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Co) in molasses (tobacco) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA7000) Shimadzu, in laboratory of Market Research Center and Consumer Protection/University, Baghdad. The highest concentration for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Co were 0.75ppm, 0.08ppm, 0.05ppm, 0.06ppm and 0.07ppm respectively; and the lowest concentrations for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Co were 0.11ppm, 0.01ppm, 0.01ppm, 0.02ppm and 0.02ppm respectively. Therefore it can be concluded that, as per the Iraqi Standards No. 1652, 1991 Guidelines, the toxic-levels of heavy-metals found in these randomly collected samples were below the recommended toxic-levels. The limitations of this study is-very small number of samples and the actual health-related outcomes in the molasses (tobacco) consumers have not been included in this study.