Cadmium, Nickel and Zinc Concentration in Some Common Fruits Samples Collected from Different Super Shops Located in Dhaka City and Probable Health Risk Assessment

Heavy metals concentration in fruits samples collected from different super shops were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and potential health risk from the consumption of these fruits was estimated. Mean concentration of Cd, Ni and Zn in the studied fruits samples (Fuji Apple, Green Apple, Red Grape, Green Grape, Pear, Malta and Pomegranate) were within the range of 0.00 to 0.15, 0.17 to 10.78, 3.44 to 19.88 mg/kg for Agora; 0.00 to 0.20, 0.00 to 42.75, 3.20 to 13.40 mg/ kg for Meena Bazaar and 0.00 to 0.15, 0.60 to 18.65, 4.31 to 17.68 mg/kg of dry weight, for Swapno, respectively. Cadmium concentration was the highest in Fuji Apple and Red Grape (0.15 mg/kg) samples, which was higher than MAC value by FAO/ WHO, collected from Swapno. The highest Nickel concentration (42.75 mg/kg) was found in Green Grape, collected from Meena Bazaar, which was 53.44 times higher than MAC value according to FAO/WHO. Mean concentration of metals were found above the maximum allowable limit in most of the fruits though mean Average Daily Intake (ADI) values were below the PMTDI value for all fruits. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values for all metals were below 1.00 which signifies that these fruits were not carcenogenic but continuous consumption of some of high metals containing fruits sold in the market is imposing threat to food security