Health Alert: Consuming meats singed with car tyres can harm you

Singeing Meat with Car Tyres

A study by six scientists has found health risks linked to singeing meat with tyres in Ghana. The research took place in five cities: Kumasi, Accra, Koforidua, Tamale, and Ho. The team measured a chemical called Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cattle and goat meats. They compared meats singed with firewood, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and tyres.

Samples were collected mainly from abattoirs in these cities. They were analyzed at the Clinical Analysis Laboratory (Can-Lab) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The results showed that tyre-singed meat contains more carcinogenic elements than other fuels.

The researchers found Benzo[a]pyrene in tyre-singed meats. This chemical is highly carcinogenic and forms during combustion. Tyre-singed meats had significantly higher PAH concentrations compared to those singed with firewood or LPG.

Specifically, Benzo[a]pyrene levels were 23.1 mg/kg in cattle and 12.16 mg/kg in goat meats. Even after washing the meats, tyre-singed samples still had dangerous PAH levels. This raised serious health concerns.

Washing reduced PAH levels but not enough for tyre-singed samples. Statistical tests confirmed that fuel type significantly affects PAH concentrations. ANOVA analysis showed a significant effect of fuel type on PAH levels.

The Tukey HSD test indicated a notable difference between LPG and tyre-singeing methods. The estimated daily intake (EDI) calculations revealed worrying risks from consuming tyre-singed meats. These levels exceeded regulatory limits set by health authorities.

The research was conducted by Prosper Manu Abdulai, Chika Ossai, Anthoneth Ndidi Ezejiofor, Chiara Frazzoli, Joaquim Rovira, Osazuwa Clinton Ekhator, Caleb Kesse Frempong, and Orish Ebere Orisakwe. It was published in the Sage Journal.