Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Vegetable Cultivated on Land Polluted through Illegal Mining

The risk of exposure to the population from heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated current study. Lettuce leaves sample Gadirge village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was for presence using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. health risks assessed Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) Health Risk Index (HRI)) assess possible non-carcinogenic effect Incremental Lifetime Cancer (ILCR) cancer risks. result mean concentration values Fe Pb falls above Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) leafy vegetables. concentrations other including Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn Cd within permissible values. associated with through consumption adults children all lower than 1, exception THQ 1. combined represented as HRI higher Life both adult has revealed metal Ni beyond threshold safety limit risk. There is concern vegetable may contribute disease burden population.