Risk Assessment of some Heavy Metals from Claris gariepinus (African catfish) Consumed in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the residual concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As) in Claris gariepinus from Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to assess such metals dietary intake, and to evaluate the possible health risks linked with the fish consumption. Therefore, ninety Claris gariepinus samples, 30 of each, from Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The obtained results showed that, the mean residual concentrations in Clarias gariepinusfrom Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets were 0.08±0.02, 0.19±0.02 and 0.4±0.06 ppm for Cd, respectively. While, the results of Pb were 0.45±0.07, 0.42±0.04 and 0.51±0.08 ppm, respectively; 0.59±0.15, 1.02±0.08 and 0.15±0.03 ppm for Hg, and 0.74±0.06, 0.69±0.04 and 0.64±0.08 ppm for As. The estimated metals' concentration exceeded the recommended safety limits outlined by Egyptian standards (ES No 7136/2010) for most samples. The total estimated daily intakes (EDI) of Cd, Pb, Hg and As were 1, 3.57, 0.57and 2.14 μg/kg BW/day, respectively, that were less than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) suggested by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Referring to the potential health risks of inspected Claris gariepinus, it was valued that the target hazard quotient (THQ) of As of all Claris gariepinus samples from Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets were 1.34, 1.25, 1.16, respectively. These results were more than 1, representing possible health risks, while THQs of other metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) from Claris gariepinus consumption from all examined areas were lower than 1 as compared to the reference doses. The obtained results give us an alert that the consumer could be under health hazards so that further investigation of Claris gariepinus is recommended at Sharkia Governorate.