Heavy metal (Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd) concentrations in the water and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fish and associated non-carcinogenic risk assessment: Alagol wetland in the Golestan, Iran

Abstract

Short- and long-term exposure to heavy metals can be dangerous for human health. One of the main routes of exposure to heavy metals is intake of seafood such as fish. In this study, lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) concentration in the water and muscle of C. Carpio fish was measured and non-carcinogenic risk of these heavy metals was estimated. The mean (range) concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were 7.92 ± 7.99 (1.22–39.43 mg/kg), 120.90 ± 106.25 (1.15–477 mg/kg), 5.84 ± 5.22 (ND-21.86 mg/kg), and 0.027 ± 0.043 (ND-0.14). Except Cd, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb were significantly more than Food and Agricultural Organization United Nations (FAOUN) maximum guidelines (p < .05). Mean concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu in the water were 0.076 ± 0.1, ND, 0.0036 ± 0.001, and 0.002 ± 0.002 mg/l. The rank order of heavy metals was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd in the water and muscle tissue of C. carpio fish. Lowest and highest target hazard quotient (THQ) for adults was related to Cd (0.005) and Pb (0.252) and for children, Cd (0.003) and Pb (0.168), respectively. The rank order of THQ for adults and children are Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. Since THQ and hazard index (HI) for both adults and children were significantly lower than 1 (p < .05), there was no significant non-carcinogenic risk from the C. Carpio fish consumption.

Keywords:

• Trace metal
• trace elements
• common carp
• food safety and risk assessment

Disclosure statement

We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support for this research project was provided by Environmental Health Research Center in the Golestan University of Medical Sciences (Code: PG/35/2813:March 17, 2014).