The concentration of the heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, As and Zn) in fruits and vegetables from selected markets in Anambra State were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy AAS). Fruits and vegetable from three different markets were sampled, digested using concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in 3:1 ratio. The concentrations of the heavy metals obtained for fruits and vegetables obtained from Ose Market Onitsha, Nkwo Ogbe Market, Ihiala and Nkwo Nnewi Market are showed as follows; for Ose market Onitsha Cu ranges from (1.62 ± 0.02 mg/kg - 10.37 ± 0.03 mg/kg), Pd (1.23 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 9.11 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Cd (0.00 ± 0.00 mg/kg - 0.70 ± 0.00 mg/kg), Hg (0.00 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 0.45 ± 0.00 mg/kg) As (1.01 ± 0.04 mg/kg - 7.88 ± 0.02 mg/kg), Zn (22.94 ± 0.06 mg/kg - 146.45 ± 0.01 mg/kg), for Nkwo Ogbe market Ihiala, Cu ranges from (1.62 ± 0.03 mg/kg - 13.46 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Pb (1.24 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 8.71 ± 0.02 mg/kg), Cd (0.04 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 0.51 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Hg (0.00 ± 0.00 mg/kg - 0.47 ± 0.00 mg/kg), As (1.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 5.94 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Zn (25.11 ± 0.01 - 135.66 ± 0.01 mg/kg) and Nkwo Nnewi market, Cu ranges from (1.44 ± 0.001 mg/kg - 9.76 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Pb (1.33 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 10.66 ± 0.00 mg/kg) Cd (0.03 ± 0.00 mg/kg - 0.53 ± 0.00 mg/kg), As(1.21 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 9.51 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Hg (0.01 ± 0.00 mg/kg - 0.75 ± 0.00 mg/kg) and Zn (23.09 ± 0.01 mg/kg - 146.76 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The concentrations for each heavy metal in the sample gotten from each market were compared with the standard set by World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization (WHO/FAO). When compared with the standard, some fruits and vegetable exceeded the permissible limit while some were found to be within the safe limit. Considering the possible health effect due to the consumption of contaminated fruits and leafy vegetables, it is required that proper action should be taken to avoid chronic exposure and consequent adverse health implications.

Keywords: Heavy Metals; Contamination; Health hazard; Fruits; Vegetable and Permissible Limit

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Citation

Citation: Chinaza Amala Ezeilo., et al. “Determination of Heavy Metals in Some Fruits and Vegetables from Selected Market’s in Anambra State". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 4.4 (2020): 163-171.

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Copyright: © 2020 Chinaza Amala Ezeilo., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.