Heavy metal pollution is a global issue of concern which results from both biogenic and anthropogenic activities. Hence, an investigation of soil pollution is pertinent because of its potential threat to human health. The present study examined the concentrations, contamination and pollution load index cum ecological risk factor for some heavy metals in soil samples collected from Borno Express (BOEXP), Tashan Kano (TASKP) and Tashan Bama (TASBP) motor parks within Maiduguri, Borno state of Nigeria. The data obtained showed mean concentration range of 0.34 - 1.18 mg/kg, 0.04 - 0.15 mg/kg, 0.07 - 0.41 and 0.18 - 0.29 mg/kg for Zn, Cr, Cd and Cu respectively. Nonetheless, lead was not detected in any and all samples analyzed. The increasing order of concentrations in the soils followed: Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd, Cu > Cd > Zn > Cr and Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr for BOEXP, TASKP and TASBP motor parks respectively. Notwithstanding, the results showed lower concentrations to the allowable limits of World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, the contamination factor of cadmium in the TASKP fell within the (0.10 – 0.25) category, indicative of slight contamination whereas in TASBP, the calculated value 0.5125 was within (0.51 -0.75) category implying severe contamination. The other heavy metals analyzed showed contamination factor as well as pollution index values < 0.1 indicative of very slight contamination.Keywords: Borno Express, Tashan Kano, Tashan Bama, Motor Parks, Contamination Index.

Three brands of chocolate and five varieties of bread samples were collected and subjected to acid digestion for evaluation of some heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Fe, Cd and Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals in the chocolate brands were in the range 0.02-0.20; 0.02-0.10 and 0.09-0.20 mg/kg for Cd, Zn and Cr respectively. whereas Pb was not detected in the study. As per the bread samples, the concentrations ranged 0.05-0.13; 0.60-2.24, 0.30-0.06 and 0.02-0.10 mg/kg for Cd, Zn, Cr and Pb respectively. This study indicates that the concentrations of the studied brands of chocolate and bread are within the allowable limits hence pose no potential health risk or hazard upon consumption. Keywords: Chocolate, Concentrations, Spectrometry, Acid digestion

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