title: Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study assessed lead, cadmium, and nickel level in food crops, fruits and soil samples from Ohaji and Umuagwo and Owerri in South Eastern Nigeria and estimated the potential health risks of metals. Samples were washed, oven-dried at 70-80°C for 24 h and powdered. Samples were digested with perchloric acid and nitric acid. Metals were analysed with Unicam Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentration of Pb, Cd, and Ni in Ohaji exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for agricultural soil as recommended by EU. Lead, Cd, and Ni in the food crops were highest in Oryza sativa, Glycine max, and Pentabacta microfila respectively. Highest levels of Pb, Cd, and Ni, in fruits were detected in Canarium schweinfurthii, Citrus reticulata, Ananas comosus respectively. The true lead and cadmium intake for the rice based meal were 3.53 and 0.034 g/kg respectively. Whereas the true intake of lead and cadmium for the cassava based meal were 19.42 and 0.049 g/kg respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local food stuff commonly available in South Eastern Nigeria villages may contribute to the body burden of heavy metal. This is of public health importance.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, Clinical Pharmacy Faculty of Pharmacy University of PortHacourt Rivers State Nigeria, PortHacourt, Nigeria. eorish@aol.com.
authors.forename: Orish Ebere
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Orisakwe
authors.forename: John Kanayochukwu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nduka
authors.forename: Cecilia Nwadiuto
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Amadi
authors.forename: Daniel Onyekachi
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Dike
authors.forename: Onyinyechi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bede