Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals via Consumption of Selected Seafoods from Three Different Open Markets in Bayelsa State

This study evaluated the metal levels in seafoods from three open markets in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Five samples of seafood namely Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Eel (Calamichthys calabaricus), Water snail (Physella acuta), Mackerel (Scombrus linnaeus), and Marine Tortoise (Caretta caretta) were purchased from Mbiama, Swali and Kpansha markets in Bayelsa State. They were pre-treated, digested and analyzed for metals using Solar Thermo Elemental Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (STEF-AAS). The analyzed mean concentrations ranged between 0.016 to 0.741 mg/kg, 0.044 to 0.385 mg/kg, 0.430 to 2.283 mg/kg and 1.504 to 4.943 mg/kg for Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr respectively. However, Pb and Cd were higher than the permissible limit prescribed by the European Commission and European Union; however, they fell below the permissible limit prescribed by WHO/FAO. Furthermore, Ni and Cr exceeded the limit by WHO/FAO and the EU. The Estimated Daily Intake was within the Tolerable Daily Intake and Upper Tolerable Daily Intake as recommended by the Institute of medicine. The Target Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index were less than one (<1). The Lifetime Cancer Risk of Pb and Cd fell within the range of permissible predicted lifetime risks for carcinogens. The result of this study shows that the level of metals in this seafood was high and may cause toxicity emanating from the studied metals.

Author(s): Kingsley C. Patrick-Iwuanyanwu1,2*, Mercy O. Obasi3, Ahiakwo B Ogbo1, Chukwuebuka Egbuna

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