The cases of metabolic disorder and diseases have been linked to the toxicity of heavy metals in foods crops. This study evaluates the degree of heavy metals in selected fruits sold at Umuahia market in Nigeria. Ten different fresh fruits were randomly selected including Solanum lycopersicum (Tomatoes), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum melongena (Egg garden), Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon), Dacryodes edulis (African bush pear), Juglans regia (Walnut), Syzgium malaccense (Mountain apple), Annona muricata (Soursop), Pachycarpa kschum (Monkey kola) and Dennettia tripetala (Pepper fruit), respectively. These fruits were slices into pieces and air dried, they were ground and digested. The heavy metals were screened with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Their health risks assessment were analyzed based on established models. Results showed that zinc and lead was undetected in C. sativus, S. melongena, C. lonatus, D. edulis, S. malaccense, S. melongena, J. regia, A. muricata, P. schum and D. tripetala. Nickel was undetected in S. melongena, J. regia, A. muricata, P. schum and D. tripetala, and the absence of cobalt in C. lonatus and J. regia. The concentration of metals such copper in Solanum lycopersicum was (0.106±0.002 ppm) chromium (0.122±0.001 ppm) and cadmium (0.035±0.003 ppm) were higher in the fruits compare to their respective permissible limits (Cu -0.010±0.000, Cr - 0.003±0.000, and Cd - 0.001±0.000) in fruits. Iron concentration was (2.914±0.002 ppm) in P. schum, while the fruits hazard index was less than one (0.3434). Chromium and cadmium concentration falls within tolerance level in all the fruits with acceptable cancer risk - (
Key words: Risk assessment, Fruits, heavy metals, public health
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