Determination and probabilistic health risk assessment of heavy metals in widely consumed market basket fruits from Dhaka city Bangladesh

Heavy metals contamination of fruits and vegetables is a growing concern to the public and policymakers in developing countries. This study investigated the extent of heavy metal contamination in widely consumed grape, apple, orange, banana, and pomegranate from supermarkets in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to assess the health risks to humans. Of the total 80% of banana and 60% of pomegranate samples, the mean lead (Pb) concentrations were 0.608 and 0.164, respectively, exceeding the maximum allowable concentration (MAC = 0.1) set by FAO/WHO and EU regulations, while the remaining fruit samples were below the limit. The Single-factor pollution index (PI) of Pb in bananas (6.08) and pomegranate (1.64) was higher than the reference value (PI>1), indicating the lower quality of fruits due to the higher amount of lead contents. The calculated incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) of cadmium (Cd) and Pb in banana, apple, grape, orange, and pomegranate for both children and i adults were exceeded the threshold limit (ILCR>10(-6)), which suggests that the consumption of heavy metal contaminated fruits poses potential cancer risks to the human health. In contrast, target hazard quotients (THQs) and chronic hazard index (HIs) values of all heavy metals were in the range of (THQ: 2.4 x 10(-6)-0.76; 6.5 x 10(-7)-0.20) and (HI:0.03-0.49; 0.01-0.13), respectively, for children and adults, which were below the acceptable limit (THQ<1), indicating no potential non-cancer risk for both consumer groups. These findings might help the policymakers and regulatory bodies concerned to apply control measures through monitoring the quality of locally grown or imported fruits available in supermarkets for human consumption.