Variations in the levels, source, cancer and non-cancer risks of trace metals in the local and exotic fruits

Abstract

Local and exotic fruits are generally consumed for their high nutritive values however, they also contain high quantities of harmful substances including trace metals. This work investigated the variations in the levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the local Citurs sinensis, Persea americana, Citrus paradise, Malus domestica, and Citurs limon are their exotic counterparts. The cancer and non-cancer health risks related to the consumption of both the local and exotic fruits were also examined. The results obtained revealed higher levels of all the metals in the local fruits than in their exotic counterparts however; the mean values of the metals were within their recommended limits by FAO/WHO. Multivariate analysis indicated anthropogenic factor as the major source of trace metals in the studied fruits. The average daily intake rates of the metals were generally lower than their provisional tolerable daily intake limits by FAO/WHO. The study showed that the consumers of local fruits were more vulnerable to health hazard than those consuming the exotic ones. Results for the cancer risk and total cancer risk were generally within the acceptable range of 10-6 – 10-4 by USEPA. Though, the consumers of the locally sourced fruits were more exposed to carcinogens.