Evaluation of Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Health Risk of Heavy Metal Exposures from Some Local Fruits in Katsina State, North West Nigeria

This work was carried out to evaluate the heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) pollution load and health risks to the population of some local fruit samples in Katsina state Nigeria. Results from this study have shown that except for the mean concentration of Pb (1.152-1.623) and Cd (0.053-0.092), the mean concentration (mg/kg) range values of Fe (1.728-1.954), Mn (0.321-0.502) and Zn (0.263-0.967 ppm) in the samples were generally below the maximum allowable concentration for these metals. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient below 1(< 1) was recorded for all the evaluated heavy metals for the population, indicating a no non-carcinogenic adverse health effect on the population. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk for the heavy metal Cd was at the threshold risk limit (>10−4) in all the sampled fruits in adults, while Pb for adults and Pb and Cd for children were within the moderate risk limit (>10−3). The cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) of the studied fruits was within the moderate risk level (>10−3) in adults and above the level (>10−2) in children. The results of the study have suggested that the intake of the local fruits in Katsina State is of public health concern as it may lead to an increase in the population cancer cases.