ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION IN SOME FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN SELECTED MARKETS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA
The accumulation of heavy metals in food crops poses a significant threat to food safety and public health, especially in developing countries. This study assessed the concentration of selected heavy metals—cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As)—in ten commonly consumed fruits and vegetables obtained from two major markets (Gwagwalada and Zuba) in Abuja, Nigeria. Samples were digested using nitric acid and analysed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results revealed elevated levels of heavy metals in most samples, with concentrations of Cd (1.72–3.00 mg/kg), Pb (0.00–25.93 mg/kg), Co (1.10–5.80 mg/kg), and As (0.00–10.50 mg/kg) significantly exceeding the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Chromium was detected only in a few samples at near-permissible levels. A comparative analysis with similar studies across Nigeria suggests a nationwide concern about heavy metal contamination in fruits and vegetables due to environmental pollution, inadequate waste management, and unsafe agricultural practices. These findings underscore the urgent need for regular monitoring, regulatory enforcement, and public education on food safety.
Keywords: Heavy metals, fruits, vegetables, cadmium, lead, public health, Abuja, Nigeria, food contamination, atomic absorption spectrophotometry
