Metals and Metalloid Concentrations in Fish, Its Spatial Distribution in PPC, Philippines and the Attributable Risks

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Food Safety
• Toxicology

Background:

• Fish is a global protein source, but contamination with metals and metalloids (MMs) presents health risks.
• Understanding MMs in fish is crucial for public health strategies and risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess MMs concentrations and associated health risks in brackish and marine water fish (BMF) from Puerto Princesa City (PPC), Palawan.
• To investigate the spatial distribution of MMs in BMF within PPC.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed concentrations of Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Mercury (Hg), and Zinc (Zn) using portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF).
• Utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) for spatial distribution analysis of MMs in BMF.
• Collected fish samples from landing sites and seafood markets in PPC.

Main Results:

• MMs concentrations were generally higher in marine fish than brackish water fish.
• Manganese (Mn) concentrations in marine fish exceeded international permissible limits.
• Elevated levels of Mn, Hg, Ba, and Cu were spatially mapped across PPC, with Hg concentrated near fish landing sites.

Conclusions:

• MMs contamination in PPC fish, particularly Mn, poses potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to local populations and tourists.
• Spatial mapping highlights areas with elevated MMs, informing targeted public health interventions.