Human Health Risks of Heavy Metal Exposure from Eight Popular Cultured Fish Species in Jashore, Bangladesh


Authors : Ahasan Habib; Md. Shazzad Hossain; Pulakesh Basak; Md. Moklesur Rahman; Most. Rabeya Sultana Setu; Mridul Kanti Das; Rezaul Karim; S. M. Shamiul Alam

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/nhjecnep

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5n6mm9mr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14928738

Abstract : The current study sought to determine the levels of seven heavy metals—lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, copper, nickel, and mercury—and the possible health concerns to humans in eight common cultured fish species from Monirampur Upazila, Jashore, Bangladesh. This study employed a completely randomized laboratory experimental design with three replications. Using ICP-MS technology, the experiment was carried out from May to July 2024 at Jashore University of Science and Technology's Centre for Sophisticated Instrumentation and Research Laboratory (CSIRL). Five percent of daily calories are obtained from fish. Eight common cultured freshwater fishes—Pangas, Pangasius pangasius; Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus; Rui, Labeo rohita; Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix; Mrigal, Cirrhinus cirrhosis; Catla, Catla catla; Koi, Anabas testudineus; and Kalibaus, Labeo calbasu—were gathered from a commercial fish farm in Monirampur Upazila, Jashore, Bangladesh in order to measure the metal levels in the edible portion (flesh) and evaluate the risk to human health. Copper and arsenic were below detection limits, but the following amounts were measured: cadmium (0.1365-0.2235 mg/kg), lead (1.225 mg/kg), chromium (1.435 mg/kg), mercury (0.202-3.105 mg/kg), and nickel (1.09 mg/kg). Mercury from Pangasius pangasius may present non-carcinogenic concerns, even if the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for individual metals (apart from mercury) were less than 1, suggesting no substantial health risk. Additionally, the Target Carcinogenic Risk (TRs) for chromium and nickel surpassed acceptable limits, suggesting chronic exposure to these metals may result in both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health effects.

Keywords : Heavy metals, Human Health Risks, Cultured Fish Species, Mercury Contamination, Target Hazard Quotient (THQ).

References :

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The current study sought to determine the levels of seven heavy metals—lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, copper, nickel, and mercury—and the possible health concerns to humans in eight common cultured fish species from Monirampur Upazila, Jashore, Bangladesh. This study employed a completely randomized laboratory experimental design with three replications. Using ICP-MS technology, the experiment was carried out from May to July 2024 at Jashore University of Science and Technology's Centre for Sophisticated Instrumentation and Research Laboratory (CSIRL). Five percent of daily calories are obtained from fish. Eight common cultured freshwater fishes—Pangas, Pangasius pangasius; Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus; Rui, Labeo rohita; Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix; Mrigal, Cirrhinus cirrhosis; Catla, Catla catla; Koi, Anabas testudineus; and Kalibaus, Labeo calbasu—were gathered from a commercial fish farm in Monirampur Upazila, Jashore, Bangladesh in order to measure the metal levels in the edible portion (flesh) and evaluate the risk to human health. Copper and arsenic were below detection limits, but the following amounts were measured: cadmium (0.1365-0.2235 mg/kg), lead (1.225 mg/kg), chromium (1.435 mg/kg), mercury (0.202-3.105 mg/kg), and nickel (1.09 mg/kg). Mercury from Pangasius pangasius may present non-carcinogenic concerns, even if the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for individual metals (apart from mercury) were less than 1, suggesting no substantial health risk. Additionally, the Target Carcinogenic Risk (TRs) for chromium and nickel surpassed acceptable limits, suggesting chronic exposure to these metals may result in both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health effects.

Keywords : Heavy metals, Human Health Risks, Cultured Fish Species, Mercury Contamination, Target Hazard Quotient (THQ).

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