Human Health Risk Assessment with Reference to the Consumption of Shrimp and Marine Fish

Meghna river estuary plays a major role in the national fish production and is being connected to other channels that might accelerate the magnification of heavy metals in human tissue through the food chain after fish consumption. Therefore present study aimed to elucidate possible human health risks should people consume fishes from this river.

Total 5 heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr) in 6 being exported and highly consumed fish species (Lates calcarifer, Penaeous monodon, Encrasicholina heteroloba, Polynemus paradiseus, Sillaginopsis panijus and Ilisha megaloptera) from fish landing center during January 2016 to February 2017, near the Meghna river, Noakhali, Bangladesh were measured in the present study by using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

The metal concentration (μg g-1) varied as Cu 4.63- 73.57, Zn 39.54-180.44, Pb 0.011-0.019, Cd .003-.122 and Cr 4.92-15.88 where Zn and Cr surpassed the different food safety guidelines. Estimation of daily dietary intake (EDI) of all the elements was measured from the national fish consumption data. Value <1.0 of estimated Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) for all fish species indicated the absence of public health hazard in the area for continuous consumption for 70 years. Besides, the Target carcinogenic risk (TR) for Pb (1.92 E-08) was also lying below the lifetime carcinogenic risk (E-05).

Although, this result pointed out an almost safe level of metal content in fishes for human consumption still continuous monitoring is necessary to ensure the safety of humans who rely heavily on aquatic resources in that area.