Abstract: Mercury, Zinc and Cadmium, levels in Xanthosoma sagittifolium (cocoyam) leaves (‘nkontomire’), Manihot esculenta (cassava) leaves and Colocasia esculenta (water cocoyam) tuberfrom Aboso, Agona Nkwanta, Bogoso and Huni Valley mining communities in Ghana have been determined. Cadmium levels in the leafy vegetables and tuber obtained from all the mining sites were higher than those obtained from the reference sites and the guideline values of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and the Foods and Drugs Board (FDB), which is 0.2 mg/Kg Cd (mercury levels were within the limits i.e.100 µg/Kg Hg). This means that, the consumption of X. sagittifolium leaves, M. esculenta leaves and C. esculenta tuberby humans from such environments may pose a serious health risk. Therefore, there is the need for a concerted effort by all to minimize the negative impact of gold mining in the study area.
However, the levels of Zinc were within the standard limits proposed by both Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG).