Assessment of heavy metals contamination in selected tropical marine fish species in Bangladesh and their impact on human health

Assessing Trace Elements Bioaccumulation in Coastal River Fish and Shellfish: Implications for Human Health and Risk Evaluation

The presence of heavy metal contaminants in fish and shellfish in aquatic environments poses a risk to human health due to trophic transfer. This study determined the levels of various trace elements (Fe, As, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd) in the muscles, gills, and liver of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) and prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) samples obtained from the Tetulia River, Bangladesh. The results showed that the level of trace elements in different body parts differed significantly (P < 0.05) between species, displayed below recommended threshold levels. The cumulative low to higher hierarchic concentration of the trace elements was as follows: Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > As > Cd. Hilsa had significantly (P < 0.05) higher bioaccumulated trace elements compared to prawn. With the exception of Ni and Cd, the estimated daily intakes (EDI) for both adults and children were below the recommended daily allowance (RDA), which exhibits that other trace elements do not cause harm to human health. Furthermore, the hazard index (HI) and total hazard quotient (THQ) were also found to be within acceptable limits, taking into account the higher vulnerability of children to toxicity compared to adults. Notably, the HI suggested that children were approximately four times more susceptible to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects compared to adults. Ultimately, the levels of carcinogenic risk were deemed acceptable, despite the estimated values suggesting susceptibility to adverse effects in both adults and children. This study concluded that fish and shellfish may not pose a health risk to consumers, highlighting the importance of further monitoring of trace elements in the catchment area.

Heavy Metals Accumulation in Vegetables and Its Consequences on Human Health in the Areas Influenced by Industrial Activities

The degradation of the environment due to numerous industrial practices has emerged as a major issue globally, particularly in a country like Bangladesh. The present study dispenses information about heavy metal (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) contamination in some frequently consumed vegetables, namely, ash pumpkin, potato, bitter gourd, buffalo spinach, snake gourd, and pointed gourd grown in an industrially prone location and their repercussion on consumers' health. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique was used as the major analytical tool to detect heavy metal concentrations. Mean concentration and the range of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in vegetables were detected (4.81 ± 2.79, 2.43-10.94), (497.57 ± 258.08, 181.24-886.67), (644.49 ± 298.40, 179.56-998.78), (38.88 ± 14.31, 18.88-60.12), (58.11 ± 12.58, 42.55-84.79), (137.24 ± 48.37, 71.99-208.98), (123.31 ± 63.62, 49.97-256.09), (8.09 ± 2.69, 4.29-14.94), and (4.16 ± 2.95, 1.22-9.98) mg/kg (dry weight basis), respectively. An extreme level of heavy metal contamination in vegetable samples was notified regarding the estimated metal pollution index (MPI) and Nemerow pollution index (P) value, which underpinned the health risk values. The estimated hazard index (HI) value stipulated high risk in all varieties of vegetables regardless of age group and cadmium (Cd) was found as the major contributor. Concerning the carcinogenic risk index (CR) for single elements, the value of Co, Ni, and Cr was approximated far above the USEPA threshold risk limit (CR>1E-04). Moreover, total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for all varieties of vegetables exceeded the safety threshold value for both the age group and children, in particular, were found most vulnerable. The outshot of the present study divulged associated health risks for the population group by the heavy metals via dietary intake of vegetables.

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

Fish is an important source of protein in human meals around the world. However, the fish that we are eating may be contaminated with toxicants such as metals and metalloids (MMs), which may pose health risks to consumers. Information on MMs content in fishes and their potential spatial distribution scenarios would provide knowledge to the community to create strategies and protect human health. Hence, this study assessed and determined the health risk levels of MMs in both brackish and marine water fish (BMF) in Puerto Princesa City (PPC), Palawan Province, Philippines. PPC has an existing abandoned open mine pit near the PPC coastline called the "pit lake". The concentrations of As, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Hg, and Zn in fishes were analyzed using portable Olympus Vanta X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF), and the spatial distribution of MMs concentrations in BMF was analyzed using a GIS (geographic information system). Fishes were sampled from fishing boat landing sites and nearby seafood markets. The results revealed that the concentration of MMs in marine fish was generally higher than the brackish water fish. It was recorded that the Hg concentration in marine water fish meat was higher than in brackish water fish meat. The Mn concentration in marine water fish exceeded the permissible limits set by international bodies. An elevated concentration of Mn in BMF was detected across the northern part of PPC, and an elevated concentration of Hg in marine fishes was recorded in the southeast area, where the fish landing sites are located. Ba was also detected in BMF across the southern part of PPC. Moreover, an elevated concentration of Cu was detected in MBF in the northeast and in marine fish in the southeastern area of PPC. Further, this paper elaborates the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of these fishes to the PPC population and tourists with respect to the MMs content in fish meat.

A Probabilistic-Deterministic Approach Towards Human Health Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Some Contaminated Fish Species

Contamination of fish species with potential toxic elements (PTEs) has caught the prime attention globally including Bangladesh. The present study enlightened on the accumulation, origin, and associated health implications of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Pb, and Cr in ten varieties of fish species collected from the heavily polluted river Buriganga. Levels of PTEs in the studied fish species were found within the legislative value suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) except for Fe, Cu, Zn, and Hg and can be assembled as Zn > Fe > Cu > Mn > Cr > Hg > As > Pb. The origin of PTEs in fish species apportioned mostly anthropogenic coupled with natural sources. Among the anthropogenic sources, industrial wastewater, recycling of leaded and lithium-ion batteries, metallurgical industries, shipyards, tannery, cosmetics, and chemical industries are the major contributors. This study identified children are exposed to As and Zn as their estimated targeted hazard quotient (THQ) value exceeded the threshold limit of safety, whereas adults are exposed to As only. The estimated, hazard index (HI) for children was found more than four times of adults; however, both the population groups are in vulnerable situation considering HI value (HI > 1), indicating possible non-carcinogenic health risk. Moreover, cumulative cancer risk TCR appraised that all the fish species exceeded the threshold limit of > 1E-03 for children and > 1E-04 for adults, which are level VII and level V contamination state for child and adult, respectively, and manifested consumption of the studied fishes arises a high probability for lifetime cancer risk.

A systematic review of fish adulteration and contamination in Bangladesh: A way forward to food safety

For decades, the world has been plagued by widespread food adulteration, and Bangladesh is no exception. Dishonest business people and fish farmers unlawfully utilize various preservatives to avoid rotting and extend the shelf life of fish. Although previous research has examined the level of formalin use in fish bodies, no studies focusing on all aspects of fish adulteration and contamination in Bangladesh have been carried out. In this context, the aim of this review is to explore the extent and magnitude of illegal fish adulteration and contamination in Bangladesh. Among the 37 reviewed studies, 11 of them highlighted formalin adulteration in fish samples and fish feed. The extent of formalin use varied between local and imported fish, and between large and small fish. Imported and large fish were substantially more formalin‐contaminated. Several investigations have discovered that antibiotic levels in farm water and fish feed exceed the permitted level. Farmers have used growth promoters incautiously. This study also identifies that certain metal substances, such as chromium, lead, arsenic, cadmium, iron, mercury and cobalt, have been frequently found in fish bodies and feed samples. Furthermore, a distinct type of fish adulteration caused by aromatic compounds has emerged recently. The findings and their ramifications are extremely concerning for human lives. However, since each study employed a different testing kit, the results were quite distinct. Thus, the adoption of a precise and sensitive kit is strongly recommended. The government should make it a top priority to solve the problem of fish adulteration by implementing appropriate food safety laws and policies.

Review of the toxic trace elements arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in seafood species from Algeria and contiguous waters in the Southwestern Mediterranean Sea

An assessment is made of published data on concentrations of four toxic trace elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and methyl mercury (MeHg) in seafood species from Algerian coastal waters. The data relate mainly to fish and mollusks, with Pb and Cd being the most studied elements. In contrast, no studies were found for As and MeHg in mollusks and crustaceans, and none for total Hg in crustaceans. Data analysis has shown that the element concentrations depend on the element analyzed, in particular its chemical form, and they vary with the species studied and the area where the organisms were sampled. As concentrations in muscle of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) from the eastern zone (Bejaia) (2.98 mg kg^-1 wet weight), Pb in muscle of tuna (Euthynnus alletteratus) (0.49 mg kg^-1 wet weight) from the western region (Mostaganem) and in muscle tissue of the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) (10.67 mg kg^-1 dry weight) from Oran all exceed the threshold risk limits set by national and international regulations. Given these findings, to guarantee seafood safety for the Algerian consumer, it is recommended to carry out monitoring of these trace elements in seafood species caught along the Algerian coast, particularly the most consumed fish, i.e., sardines, and predators such as swordfish and tuna which can accumulate high concentrations of toxic metals, particularly Hg. Obtaining a regional assessment based on similar analyses from Tunisia and Morocco was severely hampered since few similar species or taxonomic groups were analyzed in all three countries.

A Case Study on Metal Contamination in Water and Sediment near a Coal Thermal Power Plant on the Eastern Coast of Bangladesh

This study has evaluated the potential ecological risk and human health risk for the contamination of nine elements (Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, As, Pb, Co, Fe, and Sr) in water and sediment samples in two seasons, i.e., before and after rainy season, by calculating several pollution indices such as pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk (PER), and target hazard quotient (THQ). Samples were analyzed for elemental concentration using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. This study found that waters in the Kutubdia channel are safe and standard for aquatic organisms. In addition, the study area’s elemental concentration in water and sediments is still safe but moderately enriched with Zn and Cu. The elemental concentration in water was observed to be high in the pre-monsoon season and vice versa in the sediment study. The result also reveals no potential ecological risk (PER < 4) in the study site. However, the health risk index showed a noncarcinogenic risk (THQ > 1) for children and adults regarding the inhalation process where manganese was dominant. Apart from this, the pollution source was also identified by multivariate statistical analysis, including cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA)—and a natural pollution source prevalent was found.

Probabilistic health risk assessment of toxic metals in chickens from the largest production areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Chicken is one of the major protein sources and more affordable for the population of Bangladesh. Its quality monitoring is of high priority for food safety and public health risk assessment. This study determined metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Ni, Cr, Sr, Hg, and Pb) in chickens from different farms of a high production area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to calculate the health risk through chickens consumption. In most cases, the toxic metals (As, Ni, Cr, Hg, and Pb) showed very high concentrations in different parts of chickens, especially livers that contained several times higher concentrations than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC). Analytical results showed some feed and water contain high concentrations of As and Cr that might be bioaccumulated in chicken. The estimated daily intake (EDI) for all metals was below the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) values except As and Fe in few farms. Target hazard quotients (THQs) for most metals were less than 1 but THQs of As and Cr of few farms were higher than 1, indicating that the consumer would possess As- and Cr-based health hazards. Total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) of 42% for composite and 36% for body parts samples were > 1, suggesting potential health risk. The probabilistic risk and individual samples cancer risk (TR) were exceeded the acceptable level (10^-4) for As and 75% of composite and 58% of body parts of chicken showed acceptable limit (10^-6 to 10^-4) for Pb, indicating that the peoples might be exposed to lifetime cancer risk in the long run.

Environment and food safety: a novel integrative review

Environment protection and food safety are two critical issues in the world. In this review, a novel approach which integrates statistical study and subjective discussion was adopted to review recent advances on environment and food safety. Firstly, a scientometric-based statistical study was conducted based on 4904 publications collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database. It was found that the research on environment and food safety was growing steadily from 2001 to 2020. Interestingly, the statistical analysis of most-cited papers, titles, abstracts, keywords, and research areas revealed that the research on environment and food safety was diverse and multidisciplinary. In addition to the scientometric study, strategies to protect environment and ensure food safety were critically discussed, followed by a discussion on the emerging research topics, including emerging contaminates (e.g., microplastics), rapid detection of contaminants (e.g., biosensors), and environment friendly food packaging materials (e.g., biodegradable polymers). Finally, current challenges and future research directions were proposed.

A Review of Chemical Contaminants in Marine and Fresh Water Fish in Nigeria

Pollutants in aquatic food are a major global concern for food safety and are a challenge to both national and international regulatory bodies. In the present work, we have reviewed available data on the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), persistent organic pollutants, metals, and microplastics in freshwater and marine fish in Nigeria with reference to international maximum levels for contaminants in food and the potential risk to human health. While most of the contaminant levels reported for fish do not imply any health issues, iron and lead may represent potentially toxic levels in fish from specific areas. Studies on PAHs in marine fish are scarce in Nigeria, and the main focus is on the environmental pollution caused by PAHs rather than on their presence in food. The findings suggest that the consumption of smoked Ethmalosa fimbriata poses a higher potential carcinogenic risk than the other fish species that were investigated. Most of the other studies on PAHs in smoked fish are focused on the smoking method, and little information is available on the initial level of PAHs prior to the smoking process. Metal contamination in fish appeared to be affected by mineral deposits in the environment and industrial effluents. In general, heavy metal levels in fish are below the maximum levels, while there is limited data available on POPs of relevance to food safety in fish from Nigeria, particularly in terms of dioxins, brominated flame retardants, and fluorinated compounds. Furthermore, there is currently limited information on the levels of microplastics in fish from Nigerian waters. This work revealed the need for a more systematic sampling strategy for fish in order to identify the most vulnerable species, the hot spots of contaminants, and applicable food safety control measures for fish produced and consumed in Nigeria.

Emerging contaminants and priority substances in marine sediments from Cartagena Bay and the Grand Marsh of Santa Marta (Ramsar site), Colombia

Emerging pollutants and priority substances are of growing concern due to their toxicity potential to aquatic organisms and human health. However, few reports on this issue in marine ecosystems in general and, more specifically, on the Colombian Caribbean coast are available. The aim of this study was to detect these compounds in sediments from Cartagena Bay (CB) and in the Grand Marsh of Santa Marta, GMSM (Ramsar site), in order to determine how they related to in vitro cytotoxicity assays on HepG2 cells of sediment extracts. A total of thirty compounds were detected using GC-MS/MS in fifteen stations during both the rainy and the dry seasons. Sediments from CB had a wide range of different toxicants, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being the most prevalent (12 PAHs, 5.5-881.6 ng/g). Total PCBs ranged from < LOD to 18.6 ng/g, with PCB 138 being the most common detected congener. Residues of p,p'-DDE, Chlorpyrifos and two organophosphate flame retardants, TEHP and ToTP, were found in most sampling locations. The UV filters 4MBC and homosalate were recurrently found in sediments, and the fragrance galaxolide appeared in all cases, with the greatest concentrations found on a touristic beach. In GMSM, with the exception of deltamethrin, all chemicals evaluated had lower average values than in CB. According to sediment quality guidelines, some sites in CB presented values of PAHs higher than the threshold effects level, while in the marsh, none of the stations exceeded it. HepG2 cells exposed to 1% sediment extracts presented reduced cell viability up to 26%. Cytotoxicity displayed a negative correlation with chlorpyrifos concentration. In short, these data suggest the bay and the marsh have specific contamination fingerprints related to anthropogenic interventions. This research highlights the need to further investigate the ecotoxicological implications of detected chemical stressors in these ecosystems.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soils and health risk consequences of human exposure within the vicinity of hot mix asphalt plants in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study evaluated the level of heavy metal pollution in soils within the vicinity of hot mix asphalt (HMA) plants and the health risk consequences of human exposure to the heavy metals. Soil samples collected from two asphalt plants during dry and rainy seasons were analyzed for Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Zn with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Health risk indices were assessed as chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) while the degree of pollution was assessed with geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF). The pollution assessment revealed that the soil samples were moderately to highly polluted with Cd. In both seasons, Zn and Mn, respectively, had the highest CDI values for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal route for both asphalt plants while Cd has the least CDI values for all the routes in both plants. The HQ and HI values for all the metals were less than 1.00E + 00 indicating no non-carcinogenic risk from exposure to any of the metals. Furthermore, the dermal route was found to be the least likely model for health risks associated with human exposure to soil heavy metals within the vicinity of the plants. The CR values for the metals were also within threshold value indicating non-significant cancer risk from exposure to the metals. Though no significant health risks were observed in the study, clean and efficient production of hot mix asphalt should be encouraged to minimize health risks and environmental pollution during production and usage.

Possible human health risk of some heavy metals from consumption of tilapia fish from Lake Mariut, Egypt

Lake Mariut Main Basin (MB) is not only one of the three basins composing Lake Mariut (LM) but is also the main source of the popular tilapia fish to Alexandrian people. Unfortunately, this basin was consistently for about 50 successive years receiving a continuous discharge of agricultural, sewage, and industrial effluents. This has led to contamination of the flesh of its tilapia fish living there particularly with some toxic heavy metals like Cd and Pb. Lately, in 2010, a rehabilitation program was adopted and carried out to save this vital MB from such intensive pollution. This had been achieved by diverting all those polluting sources. The present work is made after elapsing about 7 years from the diversion process date, to assess and evaluate the levels of those two metals (in addition to the other four one's Fe, Cu, Cr, and Zn) in the edible flesh part besides the liver and gills of this fish (Nile tilapia spec., Oreochromis niloticus), and in ambient water of this restored basin to measure the efficiency of the rehabilitation program on quality of endogenous fish. A simultaneous parallel sampling program was also commenced for the other two basins of LM. The obtained results revealed that the concentration level of the studied metals in each of the muscles of the fish and the ambient water of the restored MB becomes now not only almost alike the metal levels of the corresponding compartments of the other two basins of LM, but also they became at concentration levels lay below those of their counterpart permissible limits in fish and water recommended by national and international standards. Health risk assessment indices: bioaccumulation factor (BAF), metal pollution index (MPI), estimated daily intake (EDI), hazardous index (HI), and relative risk (RR) for the present case were estimated, assessed, and subsequently evaluated. All are referring to a fact that MB is currently in good environmental condition and producing safe fish for human consumption.

Comparison of trace element concentrations in freshwater fish and marine fish consumed in Shandong Province, China, and their potential risks to human health

This study provides the primary data of ten trace element concentrations from four highly consumed cultured freshwater fish species in comparison to six marine fish collected from markets of the Shandong province, China, and evaluates the potential human health risks from consuming these fish. A significant difference in five metal concentrations (Cr, As, Se, Cd, Pb) was found between freshwater and marine fish. With the exception of chromium, the other four element contents in marine fish were higher than those in freshwater fish. According to estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and the permissible safety limits prescribed by various agencies, consumption of the examined fish species is safe for human health. However, chromium in freshwater fish and arsenic in marine fish should still be a cause for concern in terms of human health, especially for fisher folk communities and populations that frequently consume fish.