Analysis of Some Heavy Metals Present in Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) From Different Planting Sites of Makurdi and Vandeikya Towns of Benue State

The consumption of contaminated vegetables may cause health hazard to both human beings and animals. As a result of this, it has become necessary to evaluate some heavy metals contained in spinacia oleracea (spinach) leaves found in some selected areas of Benue state. This study investigate the level of four different heavy metals that are significant but their higher concentrations considered toxic: such metals are zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd). The area covered in this research work include Wurukum-Makurdi, Gbem, and Aya-Vandeikya irrigation sites. The spinach leaves obtained in these sites was purified, dried and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (A.A.S).