JOBIMB, 2022, Vol 10, No 2, 52-55 https://doi.org/10.54987/jobimb.v10i2.758 - 52 - This work is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals from Selected Fruits and Vegetables Sold in Dutse Ultra-Modern Market, Jigawa State Garba Uba 1 *, Yakubu Abdulhadi 2 , Maryam Abubakar Lawan 1 , Abdussalam Ahmad 3 and Auwal Kabir 4 1 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, College of Science and Technology, Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, PMB 7040, Nigeria. 2 Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, PMB 7040, Nigeria. 3 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, PMB 7040, Nigeria. 4 Department of Environmental Health Technology, College of Health Sciences, Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, PMB 7040, Nigeria. *Corresponding author: Garba Uba Department of Science Laboratory Technology, College of Science and Technology, Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, PMB 7040 Email: garbauba@jigpoly.edu.ng INTRODUCTION Heavy metals are inert chemicals that are required for plant development in extremely tiny or trace concentrations. Heavy metals in surface water are caused by anthropogenic activities that alter the natural distribution of heavy metals in surface water, as well as weathering of soils and rocks. Leaded gasoline and paints, mine tailings, fertilizer application on land, animal manures, sewage sludge, pesticides, wastewater irrigation, coal combustion residues, petrochemical spills, atmospheric deposition, and pesticide residues are just a few of the heavy metal contamination sources that can affect soil [1–5]. Long-term irrigation with sewage effluent contaminates the soil and vegetables to such an extent that it becomes poisonous to plants and causes soil degradation since it includes a significant number of potentially hazardous heavy metals such as Cr, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd [6]. There are hazardous trace levels of heavy metals in nature. Heavy metals are persistent environmental contaminants because they are stable and difficult to break down or remove. They are absorbed by plants from the soil and water used for irrigation, as well as from the air, fertilizers, pesticides, and the deposition of urban and industrial waste. Additionally, modern agricultural practices include using fertilizers, pesticides, and automated farming. Because they contain vitamins and mineral salts, fresh fruits and vegetables are very important in the diet. They also include water, calcium, iron, sulphur, and potash [7– 10]. They are highly significant protective foods that are beneficial for health maintenance as well as the prevention and treatment of many ailments [11]. Fruits and vegetables are HISTORY Received: 1 st Oct 2022 Received in revised form: 14 th Nov 2022 Accepted: 21 st Dec 2022 ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the health risk of heavy metals from some fruits and vegetables sold in the Dutse Ultra-modern market, Jigawa State. Two fruits (watermelon and orange) and two vegetables (okra and spinach) were selected randomly from two vendors for two consecutive periods within one week. The samples were transported to the laboratory for acid digestion. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used for the determination of heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr and Ni) concentration in the various samples. Bioaccumulation factor, pollution index, hazard quotient and hazard index were calculated and compared with WHO standard. Results obtained in the present study revealed that Cd levels in the samples were significantly higher as compared with the control value (0.2 mg/mL). Pb, Fe, Cr and Ni evaluated were insignificant as compared with their control (2 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 1.3 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL, respectively). The results revealed only Cr (1.5) and Ni (1.7) have significantly high bioaccumulation factors while all other heavy metals show relatively low bioaccumulation. The pollution index of heavy metals in the samples of fruits and vegetables evaluated shows a relatively low pollution index, values obtained vary from 0.11 in Pb to 0.9 in Ni. While hazard quotients and hazard index were insignificant. The study concludes that okra, spinach, orange and watermelon in the Dutse ultra- modern market in Jigawa state despite their proximity to the mechanic village and a lot of activities occurring may not cause a serious health threat to human consumption. The study recommends further studies on other fruits and vegetables not selected for this study. KEYWORDS Cypermethrin Heavy metals Oryza sativa Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Bioaccumulation JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY Website: http://journal.hibiscuspublisher.com/index.php/JOBIMB/index JOBIMB VOL 10 NO SP2 2022 ZnO nanoparticle