A Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Some Vegetables sold in Gwagwalada Central Market, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Vegetables are rich sources of vitamins, minerals and fibres. They have beneficial anti-oxidative effects. The consumption of vegetables containing heavy metals is a significant cause of many diseases. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals in the frequently consumed vegetables sold in Gwagwalada central market , Abuja, Nigeria was investigated. Quantitative analysis of heavy metals was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration level of lead showed that cucumber, cabbage, banana, lettuce, green peas, carrot, and onion had 8.65 ± 1.1, 0.0, 100.40 ± 10.0, 68.00 ± 7.0, 64.76 ± 5.8, 61.28 ± 5.6, and 8.92± 1.1, respectively. There was no traceable level of nickel in the fruits and vegetables while cadmium was observed to be 0.10 ± 0.1 in cabbage alone. The study showed that the fruits and vegetables sampled were contaminated with heavy metals higher than the WHO permissible limits.