Abstract

Heavy metal levels in sixteen different fruits and leafy vegetables from selected markets in Lagos, Nigeria were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the levels of Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Cobalt and Nickel ranged from 0.072±0.06 to 0.128±0.03; 0.003±0.01 to 0.005±0.01; 0.002±0.00 to 0.015±0.02; 0.039±0.01 to 0.082±0.01; 0.014±0.01 to 0.026±0.01 and 0.070±0.07 to 0.137±0.05 mg/kg, respectively, for the fruits. The levels of Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Cobalt and Nickel for the leafy vegetables respectively ranged from 0.09±0.01 to 0.21±0.06; 0.03±0.01 to 0.09±0.00; 0.02±0.00 to 0.07±0.00; 0.01±0.00 to 0.10±0.00; 0.02±0.00 to 0.36±0.00 and 0.05±0.04 to 0.24±0.01 mg/kg. Values obtained are comparable with those available in the literature and within tolerable limits of some regulatory authorities.

Key words: Fruits, leafy vegetables, heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrometry.