HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN LEAVES OF SOME EDIBLE VEGETABLES IN BAUCHI AND SOIL IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS

Adamu, H. M¹, Ushie, O.A². Tukur, I M¹, Shibdawa, M. A¹and Neji, P. A³

¹Department of Chemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi

²Department of Chemical Sciences, Federal University, Wukari Nigeria

³Department of Chemical Science, Cross River University of Technology Calabar, Nigeria

Email: afiushie@yahoo.com

Abstract

Health risk index of these heavy metals Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn and Pb have been determined on two vegetables sample (Amaranthuscaudatus and Hibiscus cannabinus), around Gombe road in Bauchi metropolis. The level of the heavy metals in the soil where the vegetables grown were determined. Analysis of the soil and the vegetables samples revealed that, the mean conc. Of the Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn and Pb in Amaranthuscaudatus were, 0.00, 19.4, 275, 12.5 and 0.00 mg/kg, in Hibiscus cannabinus were 0.5, 8.5, 275, 1.5 and 0.00 mg/kg and in the soil were 1.0, 144, 2000, 38 and 14.5mg/kg respectively. All the values obtained were below the permissible limit recommended by WHO/FAO. Only Cd in Hibiscus cannabinus exceeded the maximum permissible limit and it has to be monitored in order to prevent Cd disease outbreak.