Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish and Vegetables in Bangladesh and Health Implications

ABSTRACT

Concentrations of six heavy metals (chromium, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead) in fish and vegetables were estimated to evaluate contamination levels and health risks for Bangladeshi adults. The analyzed metals varied between different species of fish and vegetables. Metals like Ni, Cd, and Pb in fish species were higher than the respective maximum allowable concentrations (MAC), whereas As, Cd, and Pb in some species of vegetables exceeded the MAC. Health risks associated with these metal intakes were evaluated in terms of dietary intake and target hazard quotients (THQs). The THQ values for individual metals were below 1 (except As for some species), suggesting that people would not experience significant health hazards if they ingest a single metal from one species of fish and/or vegetable. However, total metal THQ (TTHQ) signifies the potential non-carcinogenic health hazard to the highly exposed consumers in Bangladesh. Also, the estimation showed that the carcinogenic risk (TR) of arsenic and lead were within the acceptable range for fish but exceeded the accepted risk level for vegetables. From the health point of view, this study showed that the inhabitants who consume contaminated fish and vegetables are exposed chronically to metal pollution with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic consequences.

Key Words:

• heavy metals
• fish
• vegetables
• estimated daily intake (EDI)
• target hazard quotient (THQ)
• health risk

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the authority of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Bangladesh and Yokohama National University, Japan, for providing laboratory facilities. The authors are also delighted to express their gratefulness and sincerest thanks to Professor Dr. Md. Shams-Ud-Din (Vice Chancellor, PSTU), for his valuable suggestions and cooperation to carry out this research. Furthermore, we are thankful for the kind help from the members of the Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Bangladesh, during the field sampling.