Assessment of trace element contamination and health risks associated with consumption of local fruits in Ranya region, Iraqi Kurdistan

Trace element contamination in fruit crops raises growing public health concerns, particularly in data-scarce regions. Ranya, amid rapid industrial and agricultural growth, lacks any prior assessment of trace element levels in locally grown fruits, a critical gap given their daily consumption and regional export. This study quantified arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in thirteen fruit varieties using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), with health risks evaluated for adults and children via estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR). Mean concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn across all samples were 0.016 ± 0.008, 0.029 ± 0.021, 0.218 ± 0.119, 0.796 ± 0.595, 2.066 ± 1.704, and 5.450 ± 4.986 mg kg−1, respectively. While most samples complied with FAO/WHO permissible limits, pomegranate, plum, strawberry, and fig recorded Pb concentrations above recommended thresholds. EDI values for all elements remained below the permitted maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) for both adults and children. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment revealed HI values within the acceptable range for adults, whereas several fruit types yielded HI values exceeding unity in children, suggesting a potential cumulative risk for this age group. For carcinogenic risk, fig posed the highest lifetime cancer risk (LCR) in both populations, attributable to its elevated As content. Overall, fruit consumption in the Ranya region presents limited health risks; however, routine monitoring and targeted mitigation measures are warranted, particularly for fruits with elevated trace element concentrations.