Whereas only 79.3 % of the non-canned beverages showed lead levels that exceeded the US EPA's MCL of 0.015 mg/L, 100 % of the canned beverages had lead levels that were greater than the MCL. The range of the lead in the canned beverages was 0.002–0.0073 and 0.001–0.092 mg/L for the non-canned beverages. The mean and median values of lead exceeded the MCL in both the canned and non-canned beverages.
The calculated amount of lead and cadmium in three beverages were 0.204 mg (204 μg) and 0.177 mg (177 μg), respectively. These represent the estimated intake of a consumer who takes three of the products selected randomly in a week; assuming an average volume of one liter (1 L) for each product. Taken together 86 % and 84 % of the 50 beverages (canned and non-canned) studied in March, 2005 in Nigeria failed to meet the US EPA criteria for acceptable lead and cadmium levels in consumer products.