A study has uncovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals in meats singed with burnt tyres, a common practice in parts of Africa. The joint research, conducted by the African Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACEPUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, highlights significant public health risks associated with this method.
Published in Environmental Health Insights, the study revealed that meats processed using burnt tyres contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including Benzo[a]pyrene, a chemical directly linked to cancer.
The research, led by Prosper Manu Abdulai, examined 180 samples of goat and cattle meat from five major cities in Ghana: Kumasi, Accra, Koforidua, Tamale, and Ho. The results showed that meat prepared with burnt tyres had the highest concentrations of harmful PAHs, often surpassing safety thresholds set by international food safety bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
These findings raise serious concerns about the widespread use of tyres in meat preparation and its potential long-term health implications. The study calls for stricter regulations and safer methods of processing meat to safeguard public health.
Source ; Graphiconline.com
