ARJASR

ISSN: 2360-7874

 Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Vol. 8(6), pp. 600-608, August 2020
DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2020.520
Copy©right 2020
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
ISSN: 2360-7874
http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/ARJASR/Index.htm
 

Research

Evaluation of the Heavy Metals Content and Health Risk to the Population from Consumption of Lettuce Cultivated in Katsina State, North West Nigeria

¹Idi A, ^*2Yaradua AI, ¹Alhassan AJ, ¹Atiku MK, ²Nasir A, and ³Muhammad IU

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria

²Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Nigeria

³Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University Damaturu, Yobe, Nigeria

*Correspondence Author’s Email: aliyuyaradua5@gmail.com

Accepted 30 August 2020

This work contributes to the monitoring of heavy metals in agricultural produce in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, and the possible health risk to the consumer population. Samples of lettuce from the three senatorial zones that constitute to make up Katsina state in the North West of Nigeria were collected and the concentrations of seven heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni) in all the samples were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry. The health risk assessment methods developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) were employed to explore the potential health hazards of heavy metals in the samples on the children and adult population. The highest mean concentration (mg/kg) was observed for Zn (range: 1.048-1.208), followed by Pb (range: 0.508-0.982), Fe (range: 0.684-0.978) and Cr (range: 0.135-0.261). While Cd has the lowest concentration (range: 0.042-0.051) with the heavy metals Mn and Ni being below detection level (BDL). The target hazard quotient (THQ) and the hazard index (Hi) for the heavy metals evaluated were within the safety limit. The overall cancer risk to the adults based on pseudo-total metal concentrations exceeded the target value, mainly contributed by the heavy metal Pb. Mn is the primary heavy metal posing non cancer risks while Pb caused the greatest cancer risk. It was concluded that consumption of the lettuce leaf samples from Katsina State may contribute to the population cancer burden.

Key words: Daily intake, Carcinogen, Environmental pollution, permissible limit

How to cite this article (APA Style): Idi A, Yaradua AI., Alhassan AJ., Atiku MK., Nasir A., Muhammad IU (2020) Evaluation of the Heavy Metals Content and Health Risk to the Population from Consumption of Lettuce Cultivated in Katsina State, North West Nigeria. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 8(6): 600-608