Quantitative Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination andHealth Risk in Fruits from Agricultural FarmlandsOf Dakasoye, Kano State, Nigeria

Heavy metal contamination in food crops presents potential environmental and public health ‎risks. This study assessed the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn in fruits cultivated ‎on Dakasoye farmlands, Kano State, Nigeria, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ‎‎(AAS). Most metals were found within FAO/WHO permissible limits, indicating generally low ‎contamination levels. However, elevated Pb concentrations in some fruit samples suggest ‎localized contamination concerns. Significant differences in metal levels among fruit types were ‎observed (p < 0.05). Estimated daily intakes (EDI) and associated health-risk indices (HQ, HI, ‎CF, PLI, and CR) were largely within acceptable thresholds, implying minimal health risks, ‎though continued monitoring of Pb is recommended‎.